All Chapters of Turning the Page: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

After I left my parents' house, I sent two messages.The first was to my boss, telling him I was quitting.The second was addressed to the owner of a Belmont bridal boutique, stating that I would be in the city three days later to begin advanced training.When I got home and opened the door, I saw Sebastian Graham sitting on the couch, playing a game on his phone.His hair was already styled with gel and neatly combed. He had dressed up specifically to try on formalwear. "Welcome back.""Yeah.""You got off work pretty early today.""Today's Saturday.""Oh, right. It's Saturday. So where did you go today?" he asked casually without even looking at me."I went to my parents' house.""Oh."After that, neither of us spoke.A few seconds later, he finally remembered something and looked at me. "Didn't I say I was going to your parents' house today to ask for their blessing?"He had actually forgotten something we'd agreed on less than a week ago.I looked at him. "Dad and Mom prepared a w

Chapter 2

When I got up and walked toward the bedroom, I noticed a black lace nightgown lying on the bed.It looked like it had been worn before.But it wasn't mine."Sebastian, who does this nightgown belong to?""Claire. After lunch, she said she was tired, so I bought her a new nightgown and let her take a nap here. Just wash it for her later. She'll wear it the next time she comes over.""Where did she sleep?""Of course she slept in our bed.""Why didn't you let her sleep in the guest room?""Why would she sleep in the guest room? Claire isn't some stranger. She even knows the code to our front door."I had lost count of how many of Claire's personal things were in our home.Sebastian said she wasn't an outsider.If she wasn't an outsider, then she was practically one of the people who belonged here.So what did that make me?"She shouldn't be wearing such a revealing nightgown around you.""What's the big deal? I've seen her without pants when we were kids. She'll always be a little girl t

Chapter 3

My apprentice, Maya Fernsby, sat in the chair beside me. "Margaret, why isn't Sebastian at home taking care of you? If he had stayed home with you, your stomach wouldn't have gotten this bad."I was on my phone, taking care of the work I still had left. "He has something more important to do."To him, having fun with Claire was more important than my stomach pain."What could possibly be more important than you? You're getting married soon. He should care more about you."He had never put me first. I had always put him first.Over the seven years we'd been together, almost everyone around us knew how much I cared about him.Of course, he knew it too.My whole life revolved around him.I had been blinded by love. I was always willing to compromise without asking for anything in return.One year, I even gave up a chance to enter a competition that could have helped me become a top bridal gown designer.I gave it up because Sebastian said he couldn't handle a long-distance relationship. H

Chapter 4

"Margaret, do you want to download the game and play with us?""No. I don't like video games.""Don't invite Margaret. Otherwise, we'll have to carry this newbie, and it'll be hard to win."I kept watching the two of them until Sebastian placed the last shrimp on Claire's plate.Then I glanced at my own empty plate. "I heard from Sebastian that you're having a wedding ceremony on your birthday?""He even told you about that?" Claire said shyly as she leaned against Sebastian."Margaret, it's just a promise we made when we were kids. Please don't take it the wrong way."Sebastian had actually gone to so much trouble to make a childhood promise to Claire come true.Yet after seven years with me, he couldn't even give me one promise.It was almost laughable."I don't mind. As long as you two are happy."Claire continued, "Margaret is always so understanding. Actually, I haven't really liked any of the wedding dresses I've tried lately. But the last time I was at your house, I saw a sketch

Chapter 5

I waited by the baggage carousel until the notification sounds finally stopped.Only then did I turn on my phone and take a quick look at the messages.Claire had sent me the most messages.After her were Maya, my former boss, and a few friends back home.I scrolled down for a while before I finally found the chat with the owner of the bridal boutique.After confirming where he would pick me up, I started reading the messages one by one, beginning from the bottom.A few of my friends had messaged me first.They were all asking what had happened between Sebastian and me. They also told me that he had gone to their places looking for me.I told them that Sebastian and I had broken up, then continued scrolling.My former boss, Ivy Holloway, had texted me. "Margaret, you didn't tell Sebastian you were leaving the country for training? He suddenly came to the office looking for you. He seemed really worried.""I told him you had resigned a few days ago because you wanted to go abroad for yo

Chapter 6

"Welcome to Belmont. You finally gave up that damn relationship and decided to make a comeback. I have a feeling the whole fashion world is about to level up again." Pasquale Donati, the owner of the bridal boutique, joked from the front seat.I laughed. "Pasquale, you're exaggerating."He continued, "I've already found you a place to live and contacted the school. You can register next week."The car soon stopped in front of an apartment building.After getting everything settled and seeing Pasquale off, I started unpacking.This time, I was setting up a home that belonged to me and me alone.There were no loud video games.No other woman's personal clothes lying around.And no one else coming and going whenever they pleased.For the first time in years, all I had was freedom and peace.On my second evening in Belmont, I received a call from an unknown number.The number looked familiar, so I guessed it was probably Sebastian.After thinking for a moment, I answered. "Hello, Margaret.

Chapter 7

Although combining work and school in Belmont was exhausting, the busy life made me feel secure. It also helped me find the confidence I had before I fell in love with Sebastian.One day, after I returned to the studio, Pasquale called me into his office. "The 30th Global Wedding Dress Design Competition is opening for entries soon. Are you planning to enter this year?"I asked, "When is it?""Registration closes next week."I crossed my arms, a little annoyed. "That soon? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"Pasquale explained, "I was worried that you might lose your confidence after not entering a competition like this for several years. I thought you could wait until you graduated and then enter.""But I can only become a top designer by competing in events like this. Every competition I skip is another opportunity I lose."Pasquale quickly asked, "Do you have any inspiration right now? Can you finish a design sketch in one week?"I paused and stared out the window for a moment. "Three

Chapter 8

When my assistant saw that I didn't respond, she continued, "Boss, if you don't know him, I'll have security to escort him out right away.""It's okay. I know him. You can get back to work." After saying that, I slowly walked toward Sebastian.But before I could get close, he was already eager to greet me. "Margaret, long time no see."I smiled. "Long time no see."He congratulated me, "Congratulations on finally becoming a top designer. I always knew you could do it. You've always been amazing."I answered directly, "Then why did you stop me from going abroad to pursue my career?"He didn't know what to say. "I..."I gave a soft laugh. "Just kidding. I was the one to blame back then. I was blinded by love."He let out a sigh of relief before saying, "I never knew you had a sense of humor."Of course he didn't. Back then, when I was with him, I was always careful with every word I said. I only said things I knew he wanted to hear.Now that I didn't have so many worries, I was much mor

Chapter 9

Sebastian looked at me again, but I didn't look back."It's beautiful. I'm sure you'd look beautiful in it too. It's just a shame I'll never get to see you wear it."He paused before continuing, "And Claire and I are just friends now. Nothing more."I smiled and shook my head. "None of that matters anymore."Pasquale came out from backstage and saw Sebastian standing with me. He held out his hand to Sebastian. "Hi, I'm Pasquale Donati, Margaret's business partner."Sebastian politely shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."Pasquale continued, "I've seen you before, but only in pictures."Sebastian understood what he meant and gave an awkward smile. "Yeah. I didn't know how to appreciate what I had back then."Pasquale quickly said, "No, no, it's not necessarily a bad thing."Sebastian looked at Pasquale in confusion, so Pasquale explained, "It was because you didn't appreciate her that we got a designer who amazed the whole world."I tugged on Pasquale's arm. "Stop making jokes like that."

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