Novel & Cerita Sweetly Stitched

A bit confused, I reached for it. Inside, on a black satin, was a slim leather collar. Black as midnight, butter-soft, lined with pale silk that looked like it would feel like a whisper against skin. A small silver tag dangled from the front O-ring. I lifted it closer. The engraving was tiny, elegant cursive: *Ava Daddy’s forever*

The weight of my mother’s words pressed in. “Three months,” I echoed softly, letting the words linger on my tongue. Almost tasting them. The seamstress moved behind me, nimble fingers tugging at pins, smoothing the train, whispering to herself in soft syllables only she could hear. “Almost perfect. Just a few more adjustments and we are good to go.”

Grace woke up slowly, feeling as though her consciousness had been transported somewhere far away and tranquil, only to be returned to her body like a feather carried gently on the breeze. Maybe it was a dream. A long, sweet dream... a peace she hadn’t known for months. She stretched a little on the futon, her bare legs rasping against the terry-cloth of her bathrobe and the soft crush of a blanket that covered her from chin to toe. She snuggled deeper into the pleasant warmth, sighing, and the sound of her own breath startled her.

“Nope the only people who can see it are me and you. The only reason I can see it as I am the one who placed the charm on it” “That is so cool” Jill pulled out the daggers and the sword “They pull out so smoothly, yet they fit so snuggly. I love it so much” She pulled me in to a tight hug “Anything for you. I also made this” I pulled out the amulet pendent and placed it around her neck. “If you are ever captured again all you need to do is snap the pendant and I will be alerted to your exact location”

I sniffle her hair and she refrains and gives me a once over. "What do you mean?" Her eyes searched my eyes. "Your face isn't bright, is something bothering you?" Only my heart knows how grateful I am that she didn't die. "I am okay, I just want us to do this music as soon as possible." I held her hands and squeezed them lightly. "Let's finish this Oran Joint Cooperation once and for all." Before I would regret making you sign those papers before I would regret hurting you again and again. She looked into my eyes and was silent so I pulled her into a hug. I would do this and take her away with me, to a place where we would be together forever and not care what no one else had to say about us

But that's okay; I can still use it for another day or occasion. From my bedside table, I took a paper bag containing my gift for Josh. It was three neckties embroidered with his name, which I embroidered myself. It took me five days to complete, and even though it had been a while since I last embroidered, I was happy because I still managed to do it well. I smiled sweetly while looking at the small gift I had prepared for Josh. I hope he likes it. It’s perfect for him to use during his internship and when he starts working.

“I liked his touch with the hearts and the strawberry syrup. It’s quite cute.” Flynn frowned and took a moment to check the photo he had taken. The strawberry syrup that he had assumed was randomly drizzled, was actually in the shape of interlocking hearts. Lucas had found another way to flirt with him.

Fizzlestitch, Again, this part was easy. Ia mafraib somet hinq unexq ecbeb haqqenb when Ileft yourresbenc ear lier to bay. It see ms on off you r mose fri enbs snus kintoe my posket. If you wolb lik from me to retoon him, ple ase droq me a lin. Sincerely, Cornelius Cane

Barely noticeable—unless you knew where to look. There, in the left shoulder seam of the gown, a double stitch had been drawn. Two tiny, purposeful dashes. She hadn’t included that in the original sketch. It was something her mentor used to mark as a hidden sign of tailored armour—a metaphor. Invisible from the front, but strong enough to hold the entire structure. Her mentor used to call it *the ghost stitch*. Ximena felt her blood still. Only two people knew about that symbol: her, and— No.

Sabrina sat in her atelier in the bright, sunny room, where the soft hum of the sewing machine filled the air as she delicately tried to work out all the fine details on her wedding dress. The silk shimmered under the golden rays of morning light as her hands ran across the texture, bringing a tranquil air into her heart.