Anna POVThe moment I hit send, I dropped my phone on the bed like it had burned my hand.What was I even thinking?Why did I say yes?I sat at the edge of my bed, staring at the wall like it owed me answers. My chest felt tight, not from fear, but from the weight of old wounds reopening.The Vogue & Vision Showcase.In my honor?He must think I’m stupid.I rubbed my palms together, breathing in and out slowly. But even that wasn’t working. My thoughts kept going back to him—to Hae-Jae.After everything he did… after the way he destroyed everything I was building inside of me, he gave me hope when there was clearly none.Now he wants to throw a show for me?No. This wasn’t about forgiveness. This was about control.He wanted to write the narrative again, make it look like he was the good guy. The one trying to make things right. But he forgot one thing—I don’t need fixing. And I damn sure don’t need him.The door creaked open.Sandra stood there with a bowl of cereal in her hand and a
Hae-Jae POV“She hates me!” I groaned, pacing across the room.The way she talked to me made me almost hate myself. I collapsed into the chair as memories of everything that had happened between us came rushing back.Anger reeled through my chest.The door flung open, dragging my attention.It was Raymond—wearing baggy pants and a white shirt.We both came into this new country for business, but I had other plans up my sleeve.“Gosh, today was awesome.” He smiled at me and collapsed onto the bed across from me.But his smile slowly faded as he looked at me closely, noticing something was off.“What’s up?” he asked.“I met her today.”His once smiley face turned into one filled with visible anger.He doesn’t like her—for reasons best known to him. I’ve tried everything I could to know why, but it all just seems useless.“I met her today at her office.”His smile vanished instantly. Like a light switch had been turned off.He sat up straight, his jaw tightening. “You mean… Anna?”I nodd
Anna POVMy feet felt glued to the floor. Our eyes met, and tension filled the entire room.He didn’t flinch—his eyes just scanned me from head to toe.“You haven’t changed a bit,” he said, breaking the thick silence.I didn’t show even a friendly expression. Just a stern, serious one.“What the fuck are you doing here? How did you track me?”He smiled at me, then took a step closer.“You’re a popular fashion queen. It was quite easy to figure out where you are.”I felt rage and anger boiling inside me. Those old memories came flashing back like waves."You must be crazy to think you can just show up here," I hissed, folding my arms tightly over my chest.He chuckled, the same arrogant sound I remembered. “Still as fiery as ever, Anna.”I shook my head, trying to steady my breath. “You don’t belong here, Hae-Jae. You lost the right to stand in front of me the day you tried to ruin me.”He looked around the luxury of my office. The white marble floor, the elegant glass desk, the manneq
Anna POVI watched the woman on the television set in front of me. She talked about things that felt too familiar. Things that had been happening to me for the past few months.I didn’t blink.I didn’t move.I just sat there, listening, thinking, lost.“Your eyes have been glued to that screen!”Sandra’s voice echoed through the living room like a pop of reality.I turned around quickly. Her sudden voice pulled me out of my head.A small smile found its way to my face.“What’s up?” My voice was calm, maybe too calm.Sandra raised a brow. “That’s what I should be asking you. You good?”I nodded.Lie.She knew it. But she didn’t push.Instead, she walked over and sat beside me, pulling her feet up on the couch.“I brought you something.”She reached into her bag and brought out a notepad with a golden pen clipped to it.“What’s this?” I asked, my eyes lighting up a little.“Our new ideas,” she grinned. “We’ve got three orders from high-end clients after the show. We can’t just chill now
Anna POVOne Month After the Fashion ShowI sat at the top floor of our newly leased studio in the heart of the city—tall glass windows overlooking flashing lights and golden buildings. My hand trembled slightly, holding a cup of green tea, but not because I was nervous. It was disbelief. The numbers were there. The emails. The contracts. It was real.We had officially been offered over one million dollars in combined deals. From luxury department stores to international fashion chains. Anna Designs was not just a dream anymore—it was a name.Sandra walked in, holding a red folder. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floors."You ready for the final numbers?" she asked, grinning.I smiled back, still a bit in awe. "Are they bigger than yesterday?"She laughed. "Five percent more. Girl, we’re not just growing—we’re flying."I leaned back, blinking up at the ceiling. “Do you remember when I showed up here? With nothing but two suitcases and a stolen dream?”Sandra sat across f
Anna POV – Three Months LaterI couldn’t breathe for a moment. Not because of panic. But because of pride. This… this was real. It was finally happening. All what I planned for over the months was finally working.The lights dimmed and the runway music began. I stood backstage with Sandra, watching as our first model walked out in one of our signature gowns—hand-sewn, bold, and elegant. The fabric shimmered under the spotlight, the slit gliding as she strutted confidently like she was born for that moment.Sandra squeezed my hand. “You’re not dreaming.”“I feel like I am,” I whispered, my chest heavy with emotions. A drop of tears streamed down my chick.Just few months ago, I ran. No plan. Just instinct and desperation. I left everything behind—Max, Hae-Jae, my job, my reputation… even my name, in some ways. Now I stood here, in a new city, hosting a fashion show I thought I’d only ever see in dreams.“Look,” Sandra nudged me, “that’s Renee Dior… front row.”My eyes followed her fing