ne before I even

fication I had not expected. A splash of glossy text and a grainy photo of someone who looked like me, complete with lipstick and designer sunglasses behind dark

h paused. I sat up so quickly

here. I had just walked away from everything to rebuild with intention. I was not broken

also held something colder now. It felt like a trap. I propped

ance. They quoted an anonymous 'close source' who implied I had been whistleblown or worse. They said

rticle suggesting this was

and dropped my p

to move

As I tied my hair back I could feel my heart still pounding. The studio was silent as

mors," I said, han

e remained composed, but I saw a shif

nd overseas," he said quietly.

th. "It sinks faste

. "What's

give them the storms they expected. I woul

"We still have the prototype orders

s, the raw edges of a design still

hen?" h

r twenty‑four hours. From a local boutique partner. No m

one. "But they alread

my face. Let them show me fragile.

"I will coordinate with the boutiqu

ive the shipment tonight with delive

I see what yo

stand pure substance delivered without context. I had to know if

she does not respond to any media inquiri

ould have to swallow or retract. And every hou

the coffee he handed me and felt

alfway across town someone was about to test

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ced. The studio smelled of linen and fresh lavender and hard work. Outside, the city r

s were needed. I moved to the garment rack and hovered my fingertips over the prototypes. They were unfinished yet daring. The lines wer

at midnight at The Gilded Rose. Boutique pa

My breath felt ligh

hat with Mara. No response. We release today. M

ght. I walked to the glass and leaned my forehead against the cool surface. The sweeping l

ned me faint. I would show them that steel

n a mannequin in soft hallway light. A blouse draping elegantly on a wooden hanger. A sculptural coat pinn

ging their friends. E‑mail alerts from style forums. Each mention carried cur

t confirmed the shipment arrived intac

ly: Excellent

ique's photographer would assign them to influe

eaturing the blouse with the caption: Waiting on fall coats. Loving this line. So calm. No fus

e for a moment longer befo

ictory, but it was my

chatter picking up. Not linking ba

is was confirmation.

eet below. A jogger passed. A delivery worker leaned on a

s witn

aves. Nothing viral, but steady. Real engagement. Genuine interest. No celebrity

talking," I said. "Quietly, r

brand making ripple among boutique circles. Elegant minimali

d. "Let

for micro‑ads in fashion circ

d contract offers from independent retailers, all local. Nothing national

appeared on the en

ing you need to

ssional. She gestured towa

n Roman's silhouette appeared, walking in slowly. He was speaking to someone off

of the hidden cameras-an office Juliet had appr

ble in rhythm and his expression was intense. Then Alessia leaned in. They shared a look. Something decis

identity. They were going to wipe evidence. They were prepar

a had shut the feed and slid

n wants to bury every mention and they want to claim that

ent and gathered myself. Th

emails, confirmation that I had appointed Mara in authority, copies of every inter

egan drafting a secure message to s

ent Clarifica

od

tatements authored by Alessia Vale and approved by Roman Vale. I have not left the country and remain fully capable of fulfilling my role and responsibilities. I have initiate

he public piano string I would strike if nec

build first on doubt. I want it delivered when their campai

ded. "Und

d at me. His eyes told me he admired t

will turn

I will let them drown in their narra

tallment. I reviewed the photos the boutique planned to release. I approved them. They looked strong and understated. No

thought about Roman and Alessia at the boardroom table. I thought

I thought about how vengeance was not what I wanted. I want

would bring