I scoffed bitterly. “Unfortunately.”
“He was a big part of your life, Nina,” she added. “It’s natural that seeing his name again would stir up old feelings.”
That was the most fucked up thing of all. I always saw his name. I read articles about him, celebrating his success and allthe great and empowering things he was doing worldwide, and it never failed to affect me. I would feel a pang of pain, enough to ruin my day or two, but it had never been this constant.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “I thought I had gotten over it. I built a successful career and created a life without him. And now…”
“Now, he’s coming back,” she finished for me, her tone mellow. “But remember, you’renotthe same person you were back then. You’re stronger now, more resilient.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
She smiled warmly. “Focus on your designs, your business, and your vision. The rest will fall into place.”
I wished it had been that simple, but nothing with him had ever beensimple.
I pushed the memories aside and refocused as the boutique buzzed with life. Sketches and mood boards covered the walls, and the gowns with fabrics ranging from lace, silk, and beadwork caught the light. It truly felt like pieces of my soul stitched into fabric.
“I can’t believe we’re almost there,” Inaya said, scanning the racks with pride.
I smiled. “It’s all coming together. Thank you, Aya.”
“We should close with the emerald gown,” I added. “It has drama. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a showstopper,” she agreed.
I lifted the dress, its green fabric shimmering under the lights. Once, it had been a mess of rushed stitches and broken dreams—something I’d hated. But someone had seen promise where I saw flaws. Now it would close my show… exactly as it had closed another, years ago.
I studied my reflection.
“You were right,” I whispered to myself. “One day, I would have my own show.”
“You okay, Nina?” Inaya asked.
I set the gown down and nodded. “Yeah. Let’s finish the lineup.”
Still, a knot lingered in my chest.A Ronan-sized knot.Seeing him again—here, of all places—might be the hardest part of my success.
We reviewed the final schedule. The venue, a historic villa among vineyards, would glow with candlelight and anticipation.
“I’ll handle backstage,” Inaya said. “You focus on shining.”
I looked at the gowns and smiled. “Thank you… for everything. I love you.”
“Tomorrow will be unforgettable,” she said softly. “I love you too.”
Five years had led me here—scholarships, internships, and endless nights proving I belonged. Every hardship had carved this moment into me.
Somehow, I knew tomorrow would change everything.
Chapter Seven
RONAN
Present Day
NEW YORK CITY
The peonies swayed gently under the soft glow of the garden lights, their clustered petals casting delicate shadows against the dark. Nina used to say they were just like us—fragile when pulled apart but unbreakable together.I hadn’t understood what she meant back then. Her words were a melody I couldn’t decipher, lost beneath the lull of her voice, the reverence in her touch as her fingers brushed the petals like a whispered prayer. But now, I understood.
