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Chapter 22
At a Milan Fashion Week cocktail party, Lorraine was chatting with several brand representatives when Yelena suddenly tapped her shoulder: []
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
She turned to see a man in a navy suit standing under the crystal chandelier.
His features were sharp in the light, and his gold–rimmed glasses framed these really warm and intelligent eyes.
“This is my cousin, Dorian Sterling,” Yelena said with a wink. “He’s an international lawyer who just transferred back from Geneva. He specializes in women’s rights cases.”
“I’ve heard amazing things about you, Ms. Castillo.” Dorian extended his hand, his fingers warm and steady. “I’ve seen your ‘Phoenix‘ series designs–those fragmented and reconstructed lines… they’re incredibly powerful.“[]
Lorraine was slightly taken aback.]
Most people preferred her ‘Starlight‘ series. []
Few appreciated ‘Phoenix,‘ and even fewer could understand the hidden metaphor in her designs–those years of being crushed by marriage and rising again.
“You study design too, Mr. Sterling?”
“I just appreciate beautiful things.” He smiled, handing her his card, his fingertip accidentally brushing the scar on her inner wrist–the whip mark from the Harper family estate years ago.
Lorraine instinctively started to pull away, but heard him say softly: “This scar’s pattern actually reminds me of the engraving work in your pieces.”
The party noise suddenly seemed distant.
For the first time in three years, someone looked at her scars not with pity or curiosity, but like appreciating a work of art.]
Three months later, Lorraine stood at the unveiling ceremony of the “Lorraine Foundation.“]
Reporters packed the audience, and Dorian stood beside her as legal counsel, deflecting difficult questions with perfectly timed legal expertise.
“Ms. Castillo, rumors are flying that you started this foundation to get back at your ex–husband. Did you have anything to do with his company’s bankruptcy?”
Just as Lorraine was about to respond, the microphone was smoothly taken by a well–manicured hand.
“The Charity Organization Act has clear regulations,” Dorian’s voice was calm and measured. “Foundation establishment requires strict civil affairs government review. Are you questioning our judicial system’s integrity?”
The reporter was instantly silenced.]]
After the event, Lorraine found a warm cup of coffee in the break room with a note underneath.]
“You were amazing today. Don’t listen to the gossip–I’ll always be here for you. -D“]
She held the cup, remembering her assistant mentioning that Dorian had cancelled an important meeting to be here today.
In the steam from the coffee, she found herself really looking at the figure organizing documents nearby.]
Those gentle eyes always held such confidence in her.
On a late autumn evening, Lorraine was working late on design revisions when the office suddenly went dark
“Don’t worry,” Dorian’s voice came through the darkness. “I’ve got a flashlight on my phone.“]
When the light came on, she saw his concerned gaze.]]
“What are you doing here?“]
“Yelena said you’ve been pulling all–nighters. I wanted to check on you.” He held up a thermos. “My mom made soup–it’s good for your stomach.“]
Lorraine’s eyes suddenly welled up.[]
Once upon a time, she’d held soup like this too, waiting for someone who never came home on time.[]
“Dorian.” She said his name seriously for the first time. “Why are you so good to me?”
In the darkness, his hand started to reach out, then pulled back with obvious restraint.[]
“Because you’re worth it. That’s reason enough.“]
Meanwhile, in a Manhattan psychiatric facility, Kieran–who’d been shipped back to the States and declared mentally incompetent–stared at a business magazine photo of the two standing together, his fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.]]
The caption at the bottom made his blood boil.
“Sterling heir and Starlight founder’s romance confirmed.“]
He frantically dialed the number that had long since blocked him, until a nurse took away his phone: “Mr. Harper, time for your medication.“[]
Outside the window, autumn leaves fell like snow.
In a daze, he remembered a girl who’d once waited for him to look back.
Now the stars still shone brightly, but they no longer lit
t up his sky anymore.]]
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