Dear Ex, You Missed a Fashion Icon의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

MARISSA The moment I stepped out of the car, I smiled. “Mrs. Paula!” I called out. The older woman looked up from the flowerbed, squinting at first, then her face lit up as recognition dawned. “Oh dear… Marissa!” she exclaimed, waving her hands excitedly. I walked toward her and crouched down, opening my arms. “Mrs. Paula, I missed you so much.” She laughed warmly, pulling me into a hug. “My dear child, you don’t come around these days. You’ve been too busy becoming a big woman.” I smiled. “I’ve just been busy. Is Mrs. Green in?” “Yes, yes,” she nodded eagerly. “She’s been expecting you.” I signaled to my driver, who handed over the gift I had brought. Mrs. Paula accepted it with mumbled thank-yous, clearly touched, and began leading me through the manor. Despite Mrs. Green’s wealth, her home had always remained the same. Traditional. Comfortable. Not excessively large, but refined. A place that reflected taste, not noise. The moment the door opened, I saw her.

MARISSAThe cafeteria was louder than usual that afternoon.Lunch hour always turned the place into a market of noise, clattering trays, laughter, whispered scandals. I sat alone at my usual corner table, posture straight, movements controlled, as if the world was not constantly watching my every step.Ever since Silver Silk 2.0 was announced, eyes followed me like shadows.I had barely taken two bites when a chair scraped loudly against the floor.I did not need to look up.I already knew who it was. His familiar cologne filled my nostrils. Tristan.He dropped into the seat beside me without permission, then shifted and dragged another chair forward, sitting directly in front of me like he owned the space, like he owned me.Around us, the noise dipped.Then the whispers began.“Is that Mr Vance.”“Why is he sitting with her again.”“Have you noticed ever since Miss Walters came back, he’s everywhere she is.”A woman across the room leaned closer to her friend. “I thought Tina was hi

TINA I was walking down the hallway the next morning when voices drifted toward me from around the corner. I stopped. I recognized them instantly. Tristan. Marissa. My steps slowed as I leaned closer to the wall, my heart pounding as I listened. “Marissa,” Tristan said, his voice low, almost pleading. “Please be my date to the ball. Just this once. Here.” I heard the faint sound of paper moving. “I’ll cover everything,” he continued quickly. “Your dress, your styling. I’ll pick you up myself. Just come with me.” My fingers curled into fists at my sides. You bastard. I held my breath, waiting. “Tristan,” Marissa replied coolly, “how many times do I have to repeat myself before it finally sinks in?” Her voice carried that calm authority she always used to crush people. “Do you want to ruin Silver Silk Volume Two because of your stupidity? I told you I only want to see you during meetings. Not for anything personal.” I felt my nails dig into my palms. The

MARISSA The moment those words left my mouth, Arya snapped. “You bluffing bitch. You can’t do shit.” Her voice cut through the boutique like broken glass. Heads turned instantly. The sales representatives froze, their hands hovering uncertainly over racks and counters. Arya turned sharply to the sales rep who was holding the Lion’s King Artemis bag. “Hand it over to Tina,” she ordered coldly. “Let’s see what this bitch will do. She thinks I’m mincing words.” Tina’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. Arya stood there with her arms folded, clearly eager to watch me walk out of the boutique empty handed. She was certain of it. After all, in her mind, Arya had the final say here. This was a Rothschild establishment. What she said was law. The sales rep hesitated for only a second before carefully packing the bag. The soft rustle of wrapping paper sounded unusually loud in the tense silence. When she finally extended the bag toward Tina, I stepped forward calmly and took it fro

MARISSAI smiled slowly as I lifted my hand again.Calm. Unhurried.Then I pointed.Not at Tina like she was expecting me to.At Arya….first.I’ll make a detour before hitting you Tina. I thought aloud and continued. “Arya,” I said deliberately, my voice smooth enough to cut glass. “Ms. Arya here is not at fault here.”A ripple of confusion moved through the boutique.I saw Arya’s eyes light up in shock.She hadn’t expected that.For a split second, hope flashed across her face. Real, desperate hope. She thought I was speaking in her favor. She thought I was saving her.I almost laughed.“Oh, don’t blame her,” I continued lightly. “She was only influenced.”Then my finger shifted.Slowly.And landed on Tina.“It is this lady she’s with,” I said evenly. “She influenced her.”The air froze.Calvin Rothschild followed my gaze.His sharp eyes landed on Tina for the first time.Truly landed.Tina stiffened like a prey animal realizing it had been spotted by a predator.Even Arya turned to