Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

KILLIAN'S POVI left the Yates Estate shortly after Victoria's call, the heavy wooden front door clicking shut behind me as I stepped into the freezing night air. My tires crunched over the gravel driveway as I peeled out of the gates, the engine roaring against the silence of the residential area. I hated that she had this power over my schedule—that a single, vague threat from her could pull me away from the quiet peace I had just found with Maya downstairs.But I decided it would be easier to just meet her and face whatever game she was playing than to keep avoiding her messages. It had been months since we last spent any real time together. Victoria had been away handling responsibilities for her family's company in Europe, only returning to Toronto recently for the charity banquet and other ongoing corporate commitments between the Sterling and Yates families.When I arrived at the upscale downtown restaurant she had chosen, the hostess led me to a secluded booth in the back.

KILLIAN'S POVI noticed the atmosphere change the moment Victoria walked into the arena. The usual hum of sewing machines and quiet chatter vanished, replaced by the distinct, sycophantic murmur that always followed high-society names. Sponsors, university officials, and members of the organizing committee immediately stepped forward to welcome her, practically tripping over themselves to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to support the charity banquet."Victoria, what a wonderful surprise," the athletic director gushed, shaking her hand. "We are absolutely thrilled to have the Sterling Group on board this year.""The pleasure is all mine," Victoria replied, her voice smooth, dripping with the effortless confidence of someone who had been bred for rooms exactly like this one. "My father and William both agreed that our involvement was essential this season."Standing only a few inches away from me on the small wooden fitting platform, Maya didn't say a word. She qui

MAYA’S POVI spent the rest of the day trying to convince myself that Victoria’s unexpected appearance at the arena shouldn't affect me. It was foolish to let it twist a knot into my stomach, and even more foolish to let my mind linger on it. After all, she had known the Yates family for years, and everyone in their high-society circle clearly adored her. She belonged in that brightly lit world of flashing cameras and corporate sponsorships. She was a natural fixture in it. Still, no matter how many times I ran the needle through the fabric at my workstation, the image of Victoria leaning in to kiss Killian’s cheek so effortlessly refused to leave my mind. The easy familiarity in her touch was a stark reminder of the massive wall that separated my life from his.Shaking the thoughts from my head, I buried myself in the frantic preparations for the charity banquet. Along with the other final-year fashion students, I spent hours making meticulous, final adjustments to the players' s

MAYA’S POVI spent the next morning fiercely reminding myself that I could not keep falling apart every time I saw Victoria standing beside Killian. She has been his friend far longer than I knew him. Whether I liked it or not, she had known him for years. She belonged naturally in his world, moving through it with an ease I would never possess. I repeated those exact words to myself like a shield as I walked into the fashion department, determined to focus entirely on the crucial weeks ahead instead of the dull, persistent ache in my chest.Our lecturer wasted no time gathering us together, her voice sharp with anticipation. "Listen up, everyone. The charity banquet is now your absolute biggest priority before graduation. Industry executives, major luxury fashion houses, and international investors will all be filling those tables. One outstanding collection, one flawless suit, could change the entire trajectory of your career before you even throw your graduation caps."The announc

MAYA’S POVThe message took far longer to send than it should have. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for what felt like an eternity, staring at the five simple words until they blurred together on the glowing screen. When I finally forced myself to tap send, I immediately locked the phone and shoved it face-down onto the mattress, as though hiding the device could somehow claw the words back.The rest of the evening dragged by with agonizing slowness. Dinner was a battlefield of suffocating silence and polite pretenses. Dad dominated the conversation, enthusiastically discussing the logistical preparations and VIP guest lists for the upcoming charity banquet. My mother, noticing the heavy aura hanging over the table, gently chimed in to remind both Killian and me not to neglect our final-year coursework despite everything else demanding our attention. Killian barely spoke, his responses restricted to stiff, mechanical nods, and I kept my eyes fiercely trained on my plate, neve