All Chapters of Divorced, Now Watch Me Rise!: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

CLAIREI woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows and the smell of coffee and for a moment, I felt normal, peaceful even, then yesterday came rushing back.I sat up too quickly and the room spun slightly. Julian appeared from the kitchen, two mugs in his hands."Easy," he said, setting them down and coming to sit beside me. "You okay?""Yeah," I said, my voice still rough. "Just moved too fast."Julian handed me one of the mugs. "Drink this," he said. "Then we need to talk about today."I took a sip, the warm coffee helping clear some of the fog from my brain. "What about today?" I asked."The police station," Julian reminded me. "We promised we'd go first thing."I'd forgotten, everything after the attack was a blur. "Do we have to?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded."Yes," Julian said gently but firmly. "The sooner they have all the information, the better chance they have of building a case."I nodded, understanding but not happy about it. "And there's something

CLAIREI slept for three hours straight, no nightmares, no waking up in panic, just deep, exhausted sleep.When I opened my eyes, Julian was still sitting beside me, now on his laptop, his hand resting on my ankle. "Hey," he said softly, looking up when I stirred. "How do you feel?""Better," I admitted, sitting up slowly. "Still tired but better."Julian closed his laptop and moved closer. "Nina called while you were sleeping," he said. "The police cleared the venue, she's on her way over with your collection."I nodded, trying to process that. My collection, the pieces I'd worked so hard on, that had been on that runway when everything went wrong."What time is it?" I asked."Almost two," Julian replied. "You want something to eat before she gets here?"My stomach felt hollow but the thought of food made me queasy. "Maybe just toast," I said.Julian went to make it while I got up and splashed water on my face in the bathroom. My reflection looked pale, dark circles under my eyes, ha

CLAIREThe next day arrived faster than I wanted. I woke up early, my stomach already tied in knots, and spent too long staring at my closet trying to decide what to wear.Julian found me standing there in my pajamas, clothes scattered across the bed. "You've been in here for an hour," he observed."I can't decide," I said, frustrated. "Everything feels wrong."Julian walked over and picked up a simple black dress from the pile, one of my own designs. "Wear this," he said. "Professional but not trying too hard."I looked at the dress, clean lines, structured but comfortable. "You're right," I admitted, taking it from him."I usually am," Julian replied with a hint of a smile.I got dressed and did my makeup carefully, covering the dark circles under my eyes, making myself look composed and in control even though I felt neither.Amanda arrived exactly at two PM with a photographer named James, the same one from the first interview. Julian let them in while I stood in the living room tr

CLAIREThe next morning, I woke up to Julian already dressed and looking determined. "Get up," he said, pulling open the curtains.I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head. "No," I mumbled. "It's too early.""It's nine AM," Julian replied, pulling the blanket back. "And we're going out."I sat up, confused. "Where?" I asked."It's a surprise," Julian said. "But you need to get dressed, comfortable clothes, nothing fancy.""Julian..." I started."No arguments," he interrupted. "You've been cooped up in this penthouse since the attack, you need to get out, actually get out and do something that isn't work or interviews or police statements."He had a point, I'd barely left the apartment in days. "What kind of comfortable clothes?" I asked suspiciously."Jeans, sneakers, something you can move in," Julian explained.I got up and went to my closet, pulling out jeans and a simple sweater. "Where are we going?" I asked again while changing."You'll see when we get there," Julian said,

CLAIREWe stayed wrapped in each other's arms for a long moment before Julian finally pulled back. "Dinner will be here in twenty minutes," he said, his voice slightly rough."Okay," I replied, not quite ready to let go.Julian's hands slid down my arms slowly before he stepped away completely."I'm going to change," he said, gesturing to his climbing clothes. "Be right back."I nodded and walked to the couch, sitting down and pulling out my phone.The photo Nina had sent of the boutique window was still on my screen. I scrolled through the comments on Modern Fashion's social media post about it.Most were supportive, praising the designs, expressing excitement about the collection.bBut some weren't."She's only getting attention because of the attack. Publicity stunt.""Using trauma to sell clothes. Disgusting.""Where was this 'talent' before someone tried to throw acid on her?"I felt my chest tighten reading them."Stop," Julian's voice came from behind me.I turned to find him st