CHAPTER SIX

Six years had passed in the blink of an eye.

"Tessa Frost is here!" the reporters screamed, their voices cutting through the night.

The sleek black limousine came to a smooth stop in front of the glittering entrance of the Grand Palais.

Cameras were already flashing, and the red carpet glowed under the bright lights. Tessa stepped out first.

Her stunning red gown hugged her figure, while the diamond earrings swayed with each graceful movement, making her look elegant in every way.

She held her six-year-old daughter, Eliana, by the hand. The little girl wore a matching version of her gown.

Tessa looked down at her with a sweet smile.

On the other side, the second door swung open. Richard stepped out in a black suit. Their son, Ethan, clung to his father's lapel in his arms, looking equally handsome in a matching suit and bow tie.

Richard walked over to her and gently intertwined his fingers with hers.

The reporters erupted into excited screams at the sight.

"Tessa! Richard!"

"Tessa, look over here! Just one picture, please!"

"Are those your children? Twins?"

Eliana and Ethan looked so much alike that it was easy to tell they were twins.

What surprised the reporters most was seeing Richard and Tessa together for the first time, especially with their children.

"Tessa! Richard! How long have you two been together?!"

Tessa and Richard didn't stop or flinch, not even with the cameras clicking relentlessly around them.

"Tessa! What do you have to say about him?"

"Richard! Are you the father of her children?"

The last question made her pause just before reaching the glass doors.

"Tessa! Is he your husband or your boyfriend?"

"He is my husband," she responded.

She had never publicly announced her marriage to Richard, not after what had happened to her six years ago. But tonight, she decided to say it out loud.

Richard looked at her, giving her a look that asked, "Are you really sure about this?" She nodded, reassuring him.

The life she had now wasn't the one she had once dreamed of having.

It was even better.

She had never regretted walking away from Declan's life, nor had she ever regretted marrying Richard or allowing his love to carry her through the darkest moments.

Then the glass doors of the Grand Palais swung open, and the room fell silent. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the marble floor, violins played softly in the background, and every head turned toward the woman who had just entered.

"Isn't that Tessa?" the whispers began.

Yet she didn't flinch.

"Don't be nervous, okay?" Richard squeezed her hand, and she smiled.

"I'm okay." She kissed the back of his hand, even as the cameras continued clicking somewhere nearby.

Justin, her best friend, came over to join them.

"Welcome, my love." She smiled and pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Thank you," Tessa replied softly. She couldn't hug her properly because Richard held her as though she might disappear at any moment.

"Hi, Richard." Justin smiled, greeting him simply.

She reached out to Ethan.

"Come here, darling. Let Daddy breathe for a while."

Ethan kissed Richard on the cheek before slipping into her arms.

"Stay with your brother, okay?" Tessa encouraged Eliana as well.

Justin chuckled as she led the twins to a reserved table.

"Are you alright?" Richard asked.

"Of course, I'm just a little nervous. I don't know if I'll be named the best model this year," Tessa said.

That award had always been her dream, and she'd worked so hard to achieve it.

"Are you doubting yourself?" Richard asked, gently brushing her brows.

"I'm not sure," she replied, nervously biting her lip.

"Then let's make a deal," he said. "If you win, I'll give you anything you want from me."

"And if I lose?"

"Then you can have anything you want from me," he chuckled before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

The elite guests had gathered for the evening politicians, heirs to old fortunes, and industry giants.

The award ceremony began, with the stage sparkling under the spotlights as the host's voice rang through the vast hall, announcing the nominees in each category.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for," the host said with a smile before opening the golden envelope.

"The winner of the Best Model of the Year Award in Los Angeles is..." She paused.

Tessa held Richard's hand tightly, her eyes closed.

"Tessa Frost!"

The hall burst into cheers, and camera flashes lit up the room.

"Tessa or nobody! She deserves it!"

"She's worth it!"

Richard smiled at Tessa.

Tears of joy blurred her vision.

"I did it, Richard," she choked out.

"Go on, your award is waiting for you," Richard said with a smile.

Sophia sprang to her feet in shock, as though she'd seen a ghost. She was watching the event from the hospital, where Declan had been admitted.

He'd been involved in an accident that morning, and she'd been told to wait at the reception.

Her eyes remained wide with disbelief.

Tessa, the Best Model of the Year in Los Angeles.

"Mrs. Hudson, the doctor would like to speak with you," a nurse called from behind her.

"Nurse, tell me this isn't true. She's the Best Model of the Year? Her?" Sophia asked.

"Ma'am, she deserves the award," the nurse replied with a faint smile. "But what matters more right now—your husband's life or her success?”

Sophia glared before following her, still overwhelmed by the shock.

She walked into the doctor's office while the nurse stepped out.

"Doctor, how is my husband doing?" she asked anxiously.

"He has lost a lot of blood. Right now, he needs B-positive blood and a deposit of two million dollars."

"Doctor, I am not B-positive. Please, do something to save him! If anything happens to my Declan, I won't let you get away with it!" she shouted.

"Ma'am, shouting at me won't solve anything. Find a donor and deposit two million dollars, or we can't begin his treatment."

"Doctor, two million dollars, and he needs B-positive blood? Where do you expect me to get all that?" Her voice cracked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Madam, you may leave my office now," the doctor said coldly to her face.

"Nothing must happen to Declan, or I'll sue this hospital! Do you understand me?!" she snapped before walking out.

Sophia had no idea what to do. So many problems had piled up—she had lost her little daughter in a plane crash years ago, Declan's business had collapsed in Mexico, causing them to hide in Paris, and that morning, Declan had gotten into an accident while driving.

Now, to save his life, he needed a rare blood type, and she had to deposit two million dollars.

Where is she going to get that kind of money? Who would help her?

'The winner of the Best Model of the Year Award is... Tessa Frost!' The words echoed in her head.

Yes... Tessa, her only hope. Without a second thought, she climbed into a taxi.

She was certain Tessa would help her, especially when she heard about Declan's condition.

"Where to, madam?" the cab driver asked.

"Grand Palais," Sophia replied, her voice filled with confidence.

She was sure Tessa would help her.