Chapter 164 Ben and I stayed in that clearing for most of the night. We laid on the ground while we were staring up at the moon and stars and we were just talking about everything and anything. “How is it possible that you’ve never had a boyfriend before?” Ben
Chapter 163 The following morning we had breakfast at the usual time and then Justin wanted us all to meet him in the shooting gallery. Ben and I were walking behind all the others but we weren’t holding hands this time. We weren’t really allowed to fraternize with each other.
Chapter 162 I was still with the three guys, but we had to pair off and Eric and Jesse just automatically chose each other, which left Ben and myself to fight. Justin showed us the sort of moves that he wanted to see from us and I knew that Ben
Chapter 139 139 ~Elara’s POV “For the woman who fought through the day and didn’t break,” he said quietly. I laughed softly. “You make it sound like I was holding on by my fingernails p> “You were,” he said simply, leaning closer. His thumb brushed mine on the glass. “But
Chapter 138 138 ~Elara’s POV The next gowns continued. More bids. More applause. More congratulations whispered across the table like blessings. At some point, a server passed by offering wine. I declined. I needed my head clear. Darlon accepted his but barely touched it, like he didn’t want to be
Chapter 137 137 ~Elara’s POV I almost choked on a laugh. “That is terrifying p> “Welcome to leadership,” he said. Janea found her way behind me, her excitement turning into nervous energy. “Elara… what if no one bids? What if p> “They will,” I cut in softly. “And even if
Chapter 136 136 ~Elara’s POV My team started coming up, familiar faces, anxious smiles, the ones who held scissors and pins and coffee cups at impossible hours. I felt something warm in my chest, like the night finally settled into place. The host shifted toward Darlon. “And of course, Alpha
Chapter 135 135 ~Elara’s POV The music softened as the last model took her final steps down the runway, the lights glinting off the intricate beading we had painstakingly sewn onto the gowns. The host stepped forward again, microphone in hand, her eyes bright. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the host said,
Chapter 134 134 ~Elara’s POV Darlon pulled out my chair, his hands steady. “Sit,” he said. I sat, smoothing my dress as best I could. “You were incredible,” he said softly. I shook my head, still trying to calm my racing heart. “I was terrified,” I admitted. “All those eyes…
Chapter 133 133 ~Elara’s POV One of the staff led us through a quieter corridor, away from the main hall. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor, and I felt Darlon’s presence beside me like a shield. The air was tense, almost electric, and I could feel it pressing
Chapter 132 ~132 Elara’s POV As the makeup artist moved to the finer details, eyeliner, subtle shimmer on my eyelids, and a soft pink for my lips, Darlon signaled to someone outside. Moments later, one of the staff members arrived, carrying a small collection of my designer bags and shoes,
Chapter 131 131 ~Elara’s POV Darlon guided me to the fitting area, his hand resting lightly on my lower back, his presence comforting and grounding. As I stepped into the gown, the fabric hugging me in all the right places, I felt a mix of pride and nervousness. This wasn’t
Chapter 130 130 ~Elara’s POV The day finally drew to a close, and I called my staff together. I could see the fatigue on their faces, the strain of long hours and endless fittings, but their eyes still carried that spark of determination. I took a deep breath and spoke
Chapter 129 129 ~Elara’s POV He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “It will be. Trust me. Now, sit down and eat something. Let me take care of it. You’ve earned it, sweetheart p> I gave a soft laugh, shaking my head lightly. Darlon looked down at
Chapter 128 128 ~Elara’s POV Every day seemed longer than the last, yet somehow the hours passed too quickly. Now, the final preparations for the fashion week were here, and I could feel the tension in the office like an electric current. The team moved around me, bustling and humming,
Chapter 127 127 ~Elara’s POV A week later p> The office felt alive, buzzing with energy that I had not realized I’d been missing. The sunlight poured through the large windows, catching on sketches and fabrics that sprawled across every table and chair. Janae and the staff moved like a
Chapter 126 126 ~Elara’s POV I stood there staring at the water long after Stella ended the call. The wind kept blowing my hair back and the cold night air kept reminding me that I was alone. I hugged my arms around myself and tried to understand things that did
Chapter 125 125 ~Lira’s POV I pushed the door open and walked outside. The night air hit me immediately and it was cold in a way that felt like it was trying to remind me that I was still alive, even if I didn’t feel like it anymore. The breeze
Chapter 124 124 ~Lira’s POV The hotel room I finally got smelled like old damp carpet and something rotten, maybe food left too long in the corner or a broken pipe in the walls. It made my stomach twist, but I stayed anyway because I didn’t have a choice. I
Chapter 123 123 ~Elara’s POV Janae was still smiling as she stood beside me, watching the last petals flutter off the cybertruck. She turned her head slowly, her expression shifting into something playful, almost dramatic. “So,” she said, nudging my arm gently, “do you think if David proposes to me,