Chapter 12
Lorraine moved again.
This time the new apartment was still tiny, but she’d used a friend’s identity to sign the lease and had her family help completely erase her trail.]
There was no way Kieran would find her anytime soon.[]
Her new place was small but flooded with sunlight.[]
She stood at the window watching the busy street below, feeling truly free for the first time in years.]
This time, she’d cut all ties–she only brought her ID, passport, and a bank card with her savings.[]
All those expensive jewelry pieces, designer clothes–she left everything behind. She just wanted a fresh start.[]
She dialed her old friend Yelena Monroe.]
“Lorraine?!” Yelena’s excited voice came through the speaker. “You finally called! Where the hell have you been for three years? I knew into the Harper family, but then you just vanished. Did they lock you up in some tower? I thought you’d fallen off the face of the earth!“]]
Lorraine laughed softly: “It’s a long story. Are you still doing design work?”
you married
“Hell yes! My studio’s actually making waves now.” Yelena’s voice was proud, then dropped to a whisper. “You calling me out of the blue–did something happen?”
Lorraine was quiet for a moment, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to explain the past three years. She kept it simple: []
“I want to start over. I need a job.“]
Yelena didn’t hesitate: “Then get your ass to my studio tomorrow!“[]
Yelena’s studio was in an old office building downtown–minimal decor but full of artistic energy.[]
When Lorraine pushed through the glass doors, Yelena rushed over and hugged her tight.[]
“Jesus, you’re skin and bones! What happened to you?” Yelena squeezed her shoulders worriedly, then waved her hand dismissively. “Whatever, doesn’t matter. Starting today, you’re my head designer!”
Lorraine frowned, immediately shaking her head: “I want to start from the bottom.“]
But Yelena just patted her shoulder: “You were a design genius in college. I’ve always regretted that you didn’t come work for me back then. Now that you’re finally here, I’m not gonna waste your talent.“[]
Lorraine couldn’t find the words to keep arguing.
She sat at her assigned workstation, fingers lightly tracing the brand–new drawing tablet, feeling like she was touching a long–lost dream.]
Before marriage, her greatest passion was sitting at a drafting table, bringing her ideas to life. But during those three years of marriage, she’d never touched her old companion once.
Over the next few weeks, she threw herself completely into design.]
Days were spent learning industry trends with the team, nights were spent pulling all–nighters perfecting sketches.]
Her design style was unique–classical elegance mixed with modern minimalism. She quickly stood out in the studio’s internal reviews.[]
A month later, Yelena burst into her office: “Lorraine! Your ‘Starlight‘ series got selected for the International Design Exhibition!“] Lorraine froze, then her face lit up with barely contained excitement: []
“Seriously?!”
“I’m dead serious!” Yelena waved the invitation, her voice pitched high with excitement. “Next month in Paris–you have to go personally!“]
Lorraine took the invitation, her fingers trembling slightly.[]
She’d always dreamed of seeing her work on an international stage, but she never imagined it would happen so quickly.[]
What had she missed during those three long years?[]
At least it wasn’t too late to start over now.]
What she didn’t know was that at Harper Industries headquarters, Kieran was flipping through the latest design magazine when his eyes suddenly locked onto a specific page.[]
Next to the “Starlight” series design, the designer’s name was clearly printed: Lora.]]
His fingers unconsciously tightened, crinkling the paper.[]
“Lora…” “Lora…” he muttered, his expression unreadable.[]
His assistant stood nearby, carefully saying: “Mr. Harper, this designer is a rising talent with a very unique style. Apparently…”
“Look into it.” Kieran cut him off, his voice ice–cold. “I want everything on this person.“]
The assistant nodded and left, but Kieran kept staring at the design.[]
It was too familiar.
Those flowing lines, those detail treatments, even that restrained but powerful style–it all reminded him of Lorraine’s work he’d seen before.[]
After their confrontation, he’d wanted to find her again, but discovered she’d vanished without a trace. Even his assistant couldn’t track her down this time.
Now, he might have a new lead.[]
“Coincidence…” he murmured to himself, feeling this inexplicable restlessness rising in his chest.
Outside, the night was deep, city lights sparkling like stars, but they couldn’t reach into his empty heart.]
