Abigail’s heart pounded in her chest as Laylah guided her through the doors of the Fashion Boutique. The elegant decor and dazzling array of high-end fashion displayed before her left her breathless. Laylah, with a mysterious smile on her face, greeted one of the store clerks with an air of confidence.
“Is everything ready?” Laylah asked the sales clerk, who responded with a warm smile and a nod.“This way, ma’am,” the sales clerk replied.“Let’s go,” Laylah said, leading Abigail into the boutique. Abigail’s curiosity peaked when the sales lady guided them to an exclusive dressing room.“I’ll leave her to you. Make her look stunning. I’m certain her ‘special someone’ will be here to pick her up soon,” Laylah said with a wink. Abigail looked at her friend in bewilderment.“Don’t worry. I’ll be right next door. I need to get ready too,” Layla“Ms. Parker, your designs and the overall concept of this gala are simply stunning. Clearly, a lot of thought went into it.”A journalist approached Chloe, who was busy greeting guests with effortless grace.The Ulrick Jewels Gala had drawn prominent businessmen, reporters, and socialites alike. Everyone was captivated by the shimmering displays, the evening resembling more an exhibition than a celebration.Every entry from the design competition, starting from the preliminary rounds, was presented for the guests. The ten finalist pieces, dazzling under the lights, commanded the center stage.“These designs prove, without a shadow of doubt, that Ulrick’s employees are truly top-notch,” the journalist added.Chloe offered a practiced smile, radiant yet measured.“I imagine tonight will be very interesting,” he said.“Of course. Please, look forward to it,” Chloe replied smoothly.
“Edward.”The soft murmur drew him from the haze of exhaustion. His head had been resting against the edge of her bed, his hand still clasped around hers. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep there, but after days of silence, of watching her from afar, it was the only way he could bear to stay close.Abigail blinked, disoriented at first, then saw him—her husband, head bowed beside her, fingers wrapped tightly around her own. A week had passed without seeing him. He hadn’t called, hadn’t asked about her health, hadn’t cared if she was eating. He’d vanished into his so-called business trip, leaving her to collapse before he finally came back.“Edward,” she whispered again, lifting her free hand toward his hair. But she froze when his eyes snapped open and met hers. For a heartbeat, they just stared, breath caught in the fragile silence between them.Then Edward straightened, withdrawing his hand as if he’d been caught.“What were you thinking?” His voice cracked with anger and fear. “Starvin
“So, she made it to the final round,” Edward murmured, eyes fixed on the report in his hands.The second phase of Ulrick Jewels’ design competition had ended, and the results were clear: Abigail had advanced. Out of dozens of contenders, only ten remained. At the Gala Night, their final creations would be revealed — and from them, two would be chosen to join the elite Ulrick Jewels design team.“Just like in the first round, Abigail’s design received an overwhelming number of votes,” Roen reported. He stood at a measured distance, watching as Edward silently studied the document. “It seems many people are drawn to her work.”Edward didn’t respond, his eyes scanning the page with unreadable focus.Roen, however, felt the unease rising in his chest. Why is Edward avoiding Abigail? For days, his boss had kept his distance, even lying to her — claiming a business trip. Roen had thought the couple was finally finding their footing, perhaps even softening toward each other. But now, Edward
It was still dark when Edward stirred awake. Beside him, Abigail slept soundly, her arm draped across him. Careful not to wake her, he gently shifted free and rose from the bed. His steps carried him to her desk, where papers and pencils lay scattered. A half-finished sketch caught his eye.Edward froze.The design was unmistakable: The Ouroboros—a serpent devouring its own tail. He knew it as a symbol of eternity, but here, in Abigail’s hand, it whispered something else. The self-consuming nature of love. A circle that never breaks, even when the relationship ends. Memories looping endlessly, fragments that refuse to fade.His hand curled into a fist. For the first time, jealousy struck him with brutal force.Edward knew of Abigail’s past with James—their relationship, their near-marriage. He had accepted it as something long over. But seeing it expressed in her design was a wound he hadn’t expected. The sketch spoke louder than words. It told him that James had been her first love—a
Edward stopped in front of Abigail’s desk when he saw her slumped over, fast asleep. The second phase of the jewelry design competition was already underway. He knew how much she carried as Chloe’s secretary—running errands left and right—only to come home and push herself further, sketching designs late into the night.“Red…” Edward murmured softly, brushing his fingers through her hair.A faint sound slipped from her lips at his touch, and her lashes fluttered open.“Edward,” she whispered, straightening slowly and rubbing her eyes.“Why are you sleeping here?” he asked quietly.“What time is it? Did you just get back?” Her voice was still groggy, as though she hadn’t quite processed that he was standing there.“Hey—!” Abigail gasped when Edward suddenly scooped her into his arms. The jolt seemed to wake her fully.“Put me—” Her protest broke off when he laid her gently on the bed. She pushed against the sheets as if to sit up, but froze as Edward leaned over her, shadows in his eye
“Eat,” Edward muttered, dropping the tray onto the table with a dull thud. No eye contact. No softness. Just the words, like a chore he couldn’t wait to be done with.Abigail sat frozen on the bed, arms wrapped around herself. Her stomach felt like ice—empty, but clenched. Not from hunger. From him. From the way he wouldn’t even look at her.She didn’t move.“If you’re not gonna eat, then toss it,” he snapped, already walking to the far side of the bed. He lay down with his back to her, shoulders stiff, jaw locked.Abigail glanced at him. Just a quick look. Then down at her belly.She placed a hand over it, fingers trembling. Edward was right. She couldn’t starve the baby just because everything between them felt like it was falling apart. She didn’t know how long he’d stay angry. Maybe forever. And maybe she deserved it.She stood slowly, the mattress creaking beneath h