All Chapters of Love and Crosses: What The Heart Wants: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Riele drove through the quiet streets, her mind racing as the upcoming competition consumed her thoughts. The early morning breeze kissed her cheeks through the slightly opened car window, offering little comfort for the whirlwind of emotions building inside her. The news of the rescheduled competition had hit her hard. Four weeks—that was all the time left before she and her team had to face the biggest challenge of their careers. The pressure was relentless, and the weight of what was at stake felt almost unbearable.But today, Riele wasn’t thinking about strategy sessions or late-night practices. Today, she had something more personal to handle.Charlotte’s small brick house came into view as Riele turned the corner. The driveway was empty, but the curtains in the living room window shifted slightly as she parked. She knew Charlotte was home. Despite everything that had happened between Charlotte and Utter, Riele trusted her friend deeply. Charlotte had been by her side through the

The day had finally arrived. Four weeks had passed since the announcement of the competition’s new timeline, and the anticipation had built to a fever pitch. The airport buzzed with energy as travelers rushed to their gates, families hugged goodbye, and the world outside loomed wide and full of possibility. For Riele, it was more than a trip—it was a chance to reclaim her dreams, to prove her worth, and to confront everything she had left behind. She clutched her carry-on bag as they approached the boarding area, her eyes darting around to soak in every detail. Kim stood confidently at the front of the group, his dark eyes sharp with focus, a quiet excitement simmering beneath his composed exterior. Jane, as usual, stayed close to him, her presence a constant reminder of Riele’s heartache. Jay, however, was by her side, his easy smile and calm demeanor grounding her in the moment. “Ready to conquer the world, Rie?” Jay asked, a teasing note in his voice as they handed over their b

Utter sat in his dimly lit living room, the cold glass of whiskey in his hand reflecting the soft glow of the lamp beside him. The room was still, save for the low hum of a nearby fridge and the occasional clink of ice as he took another drink. His thoughts swirled in a haze of frustration and regret, the burn of alcohol barely numbing the ache in his chest.He had been planning to leave for the competition, eager to reclaim some semblance of control in his life, but that had all been derailed by Madison. She had shown up, as if out of nowhere, and completely dismantled the fragile plans he had made. The anger still simmered beneath the surface. He had to admit, he wasn’t ready to face the competition now—not with everything weighing on his mind. Not with the unresolved mess that was his life.But what else was left for him? He had rejected Charlotte’s pregnancy, and the fallout from that decision had been harder to ignore than he had anticipated. He hadn't been prepared to see her lea

The music pulsed through the venue, echoing off the high ceilings and filling the space with an energy that was impossible to ignore. Riele stood backstage, her hands trembling slightly as she waited for her name to be called. The sound of other models walking, the faint murmur of the crowd, and the laughter of the host were all distant noises in her ears. Right now, the world seemed to narrow to the space right in front of her—the runway, the lights, and the anticipation building with every passing second.“Next, Riele,” came the voice of the assistant, calling her forward.Her heart thudded in her chest as she took a deep breath. She had prepared for this, practiced for months, and now it was time to shine. She couldn’t let her nerves control her. This was her moment.Jay gave her an encouraging smile as she passed by him on her way to the runway. “You got this,” he whispered, his words simple but full of conviction.Riele’s smile was small but genuine. “Thanks, Jay.”The moment she

The air was thick with excitement as the awards ceremony reached its climax. The grand hall buzzed with energy, the flashing lights of cameras catching every angle of the designers, models, and industry professionals who had poured months of hard work into the competition. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd eagerly waiting for the final announcement—the winner of the year’s prestigious modeling competition.The host stood at the podium, his charismatic voice booming through the venue, addressing the crowd with flair. “Ladies and gentlemen, before we announce tonight’s winner, let’s take a moment to thank all the incredible participants who have made this competition so remarkable. Without each of you, this show wouldn’t be the success it is today. A round of applause for all our competitors!”The crowd erupted into applause, and the models and designers stood proudly, each one sharing in the collective pride of what had been a hard-fought competition. From the beginning, every one