ughter of the evening had faded, we all

o lie down when a k

and hesitan

eone looking for another room. But when the knock came ag

ned th

here s

il

llway rug in a silk robe, hair down, eyes uncer

rd," she s

oor for her. She walked in slowly, he

e for a few seconds befor

't really had the chance

my chest was al

y I'm here,

out Sam?"

just..." She trailed off, biti

my arms, unsure wh

ge of the chair by the window

e been about everything," she s

e cracked

up before you left. No big fights. Just silence. Then y

and I could see the u

e was there. He understood my pain in a way I didn't expect. We got close, and things

ad"seeing you again, it... it messed with m

was beat

years trying to convince myself that I had, but I didn't. I left because I thought I wasn't

tartled by the ra

in love with

ft me calm, a

lence felt

ly, tears brimm

e's a part of me that never stopped" she paused, her voice trembling "I ju

hit like

ed toward

, my voice more despe

didn't

the door and

he door shutting beh

t, feeling the weight of rej

knew this was

idn't make it

turning, haunted by what Lily said.My mind played

f I had

d fought hard

had never l

omnia. My phone buzzed, it was another message from Rose,

grief had painted itself across my features. I splashed water on my skin, but the heaviness lingered. I had t

self. Business will keep

my mother knocked softly

I'd be joining the family for breakfast and reminde

"I've got an early

he didn't push. "Alright," she said softly. "Just don

en she

ing dark coffee and waiting. I needed this meeting

dressed casually but with quiet authorit

Rose spoke highly of you. I've

lowed your work in the Asian fashion market

ued. "Then tell me

hows, and our presence is steadily growing. But I want to introduce the brand to

your work,

ollections, high-performing designs, pieces wi

tudied them wi

said finally. "You've got something he

relief rushe

iate your

I'm here. This trip is supposed to be work-free. So let's begin

adn't expected to land so easily. L

me feel better. And

at followed his exi

not out of hunger, but out of the ne

Elysian Dream on my own. If I had to be here, I might as well make t

n my way out, I saw

most like she could

ut, her voice cutting t

or a moment, but th

ght before still lingering in her eyes, but s

tour of the ship," I sa

only a second bef

ke maybe, just maybe, we were b