INICIAR SESIÓNSolène froze for a second, her brain taking its time to catch up.“Best friends?” She asked, her eyes returning to Katie again.The girl nodded. “I don’t know if they’re best friends…but I think they are.”Somehow, that made Solene relax, letting out a quiet breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.Because for a moment, she didn’t even know what to think.I mean, she knew Hannah used to show Katie pictures of her and Atlas before they came to the city.But Hannah and Atlas…best friends?They were somewhat close. But that was it.Solène was the closest to Atlas…right?Katie had already moved on, snatching the first drawing and setting it aside as her smile widened at the second one.Solène’s smile returned too. “Oh, and what do we have here?” She asked, scanning the three figures on the paper.Katie gave a soft chuckle, then just like before, pointed at the figures one after the other. “This is Mommy, this is me, and this is…Raph.” She bounced a little at the last name.Solène r
Solène adjusted her collar, her eyes fixed on the tablet in her hand as she stared at the graph on the screen.The conference room was in low murmurs, each person staring at a screen and discussing it with the person next to them in a quiet, arranged pattern. With printouts spread across the table.Then Solene let out a slow breath as she swiped past the numbers to the designs.“Look at six,” Mr Hathaway said, tapping his pen against the printout in front of him. “The structure is strong, but the finishing…feels slightly heavy.Solène nodded, already grasping what he was talking about.“Miss Wells reduced the layering since the last review,” she said. “What you’re seeing is the final balance between volume and movement. It won’t drag on the runway.”Mae glanced up from her iPad. “We tested it yesterday, ma’am. The fabric responds better under lighting in still pictures.”A pause.“And…” Mae continued. “I think it’d suit Virelli more.”Soft murmurs spread across the table, and a few no
Ronan sat in the backseat of the car for a moment, his eyes out the tinted windows watching people move in and out of the building like he was scouting the area, rather than trying to calm his nerves.Because of all the times for his shit head brother to crawl out of whatever hole he’d been hiding in, he’d chosen now.Just erupted from nowhere like he always did.“Sir, you need some assistance?” The guard in the front seat asked, watching him through the rearview mirror.Ronan didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lifted to the glowing sign at the top of the building.“Black Atrium.”He let out a sharp breath. “No, I’ve got it.”“I’ll come with you.” The man pressed.But Ronan just opened the door. “That won’t be necessary.” Then he stepped out of the car.The night air was cool—calm, and even the club seemed to respect that as the music fluttering through the building wasn’t as aggressive as usual.Ronan adjusted his sleeve, ignoring the stares and bold winks he got from women wearing
Solène made sure Katie was actually fine—minor injuries, a bandaged arm, a slight bruise at her temple…but she didn’t cry anymore and her voice was steady again.Then she walked past Ronan, out of the building—face straight, arms folded, towards her car.“Let me drive you.” Ronan said, following her behind.She didn’t stop even for a second. “I drove here.”“I know.” He replied evenly, “But I want to explain.”“No need.” Her hand dipped into her pocket for her keys. “I’ve heard enough.”“I’m serious, Solene.”She just ignored him, taking out her keys. But just as she touched the door handle, he held her hand.Firmly.Solène turned, meeting his gaze.There was something dark in them that made her pause.“I insist.” His voice was low—serious, leaving no room for argument.And just like that, she got into the front passenger’s seat, and he shut the door behind her, then circled to the driver’s seat and got in.Minutes after they got on the road, the day darkened quickly, like it was abou
“What's up, big bro?"Every eye turned to Raphael, the air shifting to something heavier.Everyone paused for like half a second, like the words were sinking in slowly. Even though they didn't really understand."What?” Solene muttered, looking from one man to the other.But Ronan was the most tense in that place. His brows were drawn tightly together, veins shooting out from his temple as he stared from Raphael's stretched hand, to that almost careless grin on his face.“What are you doing here?" His voice was dangerously low.But Raphael's smile didn't falter. He withdrew his hand and nodded once. "Of course. Best way to greet your baby brother.” "What?” Solene asked again, her voice louder this time as she tried to grasp what was young on."Ronan?" She called, looking between the men. “What's going on?”But the more she stared, the more she saw the resemblance between them.Then Ronan's frown relaxed a bit, and he took a step back, turning towards Solene, trying to keep his voic
Solene sat at the head of the table, her fingers resting lightly beside the small stack of printed layouts in front of her.The room was in quiet murmurs, each person passing smiles to one another from the news about Paris.And Solene allowed it. Because underneath that quiet composure, she wanted to scream and yell her lungs out with joy.But she knew better. Because now there was even more work to do.She cleared her throat, and the room fell silent.Every eye shifted back to the screen behind her, where the lineup projections for Paris were displayed.“Well, looking at this,” one man began, adjusting his glasses. “We’ll need to tighten the transitions between the second and third segments. The pacing feels off.”Solene shifted, turning towards the screen. Then she nodded.“We’ll adjust the walk intervals,” she replied calmly. “No more than three seconds between exits. I don’t want any gaps on that runway.” A few of them nodded.“And the final piece?” Mae asked, flipping through he
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this, and I had to hear it from Hannah?”Solene nearly rolled her eyes. “That’s because I wasn’t bothered about it. Why would I want to burden you with something that’s in my past, Mom?”“And when that past surfaces, is it still the past?” the woman asked on the other
“I want to know everything you know about that girl. Now,” Clarissa said, dropping into a chair.Linda huffed. “Is she really important? She’s just some slug trying to grow a shell.” Clarissa shot her a glare. “Slug? Did you see how much audacity that girl had?” She asked. “She’s sharp tongued and
“If you need anything—anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.” Her mom said at the door.Solene nodded, her smile as bright as ever. “I will.”Then Vanessa shifted her gaze to Ronan, who stood a little behind, looking worn out. “Ronan dear, please take care of my daughter.”Ronan pulled Solene’
The car drove smoothly along the almost empty road, giving the night the quiet satisfaction it deserved.Ronan sat in the backseat, his eyes fixed to an iPad in his hands as he scrolled leisurely.“And the reservation for tonight?” He asked.“Yes, sir, the—”A scratching sound cut through the line.







