Trade Breaker

Heart racing with beads of sweat dripping from her forehead, Solo stood outside Dominic’s apartment. The borrowed keys he had given her weighed heavy in her hand. This was how it always was. For the past three years, she had to borrow the spare keys to enter the apartment without him.The thought sent bile chasing toward her lips. She swallowed the bitter taste as she remembered the kind of life she was letting go of. Dominic had never been physically abusive, but his words were cutting at times.Three days ago, he ended their relationship. She sighed, steadying her breathing—she unlocked the door and stepped inside. The morning sun fought through the clouds, casting a pale light over the city, a sight to behold.She paused, gazing at the effect through the large windows at the view she would never witness again.She had spent three years in this apartment, but now it felt foreign, devoid of shape and familiarity. Her time here was over, and this place wasn’t her home anymore, not that

Solo sat across from Charles Bellamy, her mentor, the man who had helped launch her career in the jewelry design business years ago. They were engulfed in the buzz of the upscale café, filled with the soft clinks of glasses, cups, dishes, and murmured conversations. Solo’s mind, however, was focused on the opportunity Charles presented.“The event is two weeks away,” he said, tapping the side of his coffee cup. “You’ll be presenting under your new name—Solaire—I expect it to make quite the impact.”She nodded, trying to suppress the wave of anxiety that washed over her. It had been so long since she had immersed herself in the jewelry world. Now, she was returning with a new identity, more at stake than before. Her career had to take off—not just for herself, but for her children’s future.She closed her eyes, steadying her nerves, then snapped and opened them. “I’m ready,” she said, though the words felt heavier than anticipated.Charles smiled, his eyes filled with pride. “Good. I h

Solo sat at her workbench, the rhythmic sound of the radio in the background and her tools echoing in the small workspace. The afternoon's soft light streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate jewelry pieces scattered on the dining table behind her.She had been working nonstop on her designs for the upcoming event. Each piece reflected her determination to reclaim her life and career under her new identity, Solaire.Solaire’s creations differed from Solo’s original style. Early designs whispered elegance and were understated yet powerful in their simplicity, capturing the essence of balance and restraint.Her creations have taken on a new energy—bold, daring, and full of life. It's as if each piece tells a story of rediscovery. The past's refined lines have given way to striking contrasts and vibrant textures.Though Solaire’s designs were more daring, they still carried the quiet strength of her beginnings but now reflected a sense of freedom, like an artist unafraid to

Sensing the strain between Dominic and Sapphire, his mother surprised them with a weekend away at a luxury resort, explaining it would be an opportunity for them to reconnect. Fraught with guilt about his emotions and recent behavior, Dominic accepted.The resort was picture-perfect, the kind of place where everything was designed to invoke peace and relaxation.Sapphire smiled as they stepped out of the car, the cool ocean breeze brushing against her face. She followed Dominic, strolling to the railing of the Cliff Hotel, overlooking the ocean as the waves rolled in, the sun casting a golden glow over the horizon. Beside him, Sapphire leaned on the railing contented.“This is perfect, isn’t it?” she said, glancing up at him.Dominic nodded. His acknowledgment was mechanical.Nothing about this trip felt perfect. The disconnect between him and Sapphire grew like an invisible wall separating them. No matter how beautiful the surroundings, he couldn’t shake the blankness that settled in

Inside his apartment was quiet—too quiet—while the city streets buzzed beneath Dominic’s window. The night after the jewelry event felt heavy as everything unsaid between him and Solo was suffocating him. He hadn’t seen her, but the absence of closure ate at him.He couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had served him a killer blow. The memories were creeping in faster, pushing aside his thoughts of Sapphire. Sapphire, who had once been everything, now felt like a hollow shell of a dream he’d outgrown.The sound of his phone vibrating broke the silence. Jake.“Anything?” Dominic asked, more hopeful than he wanted to admit.Jake’s voice was measured, and Dominic recognized the tone as cautious optimism. “I’ve just got off the plane. I’m on my way to where this Solar woman works. It could be something or nothing. We’ll know once I check it out.”Dominic’s pulse quickened. The name—so close to Solo. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but this was the closest they’d come to anything rese