Chapter 12
Callie moved again
This time, her new apartment was still small, but she’d used a friend’s identity to lease it and asked her family to help completely erase her tracks.]
In the short term, Declan shouldn’t be able to find her.[]
Her new place wasn’t big either, but it had great natural light.[]
Standing by the window, watching the bustling street below, she felt a freedom she hadn’t experienced in ages.
This time, she’d cut all ties, taking only her documents and a bank card with her savings.]
All those expensive jewelry pieces, designer clothes–she didn’t take a single item. Now, all she wanted was a fresh start.[]
She dialed her old friend Susan Chen.]]
“Callie?!” Susan’s delighted voice came through the phone. “You finally called! Where have you been these three years? All I knew was that you
harried into the Hayes family, then you just vanished. Did they deliberately hide you away? I almost thought you’d disappeared off the face of the earth!”
Callie let out a soft laugh: “It’s a long story. Are you still doing design work?“[]
“Of course! My studio’s actually making a name for itself now.” Susan’s voice was proud, then dropped to a whisper, “You reaching out to me suddenly–did something happen?“]]
Callie fell silent for a moment, but in the end couldn’t bring herself to explain the past three years. She just said vaguely: “I want to start over. I need a job.”
Susan agreed without hesitation: “Then come to my studio tomorrow and report for duty!”
Susan’s studio was located in an old office building downtown, simply decorated but full of artistic flair.]
When Callie pushed open the glass door, Susan rushed over and hugged her.[]
“God, why are you so skinny?” Susan squeezed her shoulders with concern, then waved her hand with forced cheer, “Whatever, from today on, you’re my head designer!“]
Callie frowned in surprise, then immediately shook her head: “I should start from the bottom.“[]
But Susan casually patted her shoulder: “You were the design department genius in college I’ve always regretted that you didn’t come work at my studic. Now that you’re finally here, I’m not about to waste your talent.“]
Callie couldn’t bring herself to keep refusing.
She sat at the workstation assigned to her, fingertips gently tracing the brand–new drawing board, as if touching a long–lost dream.[]
Before marriage, what she’d loved most was sitting at her drawing board, sketching out her ideas. But during three years of marriage, she’d never once touched this old companion.[]
In the days that followed, she threw herself completely into design.]
Days were spent with the team learning the latest industry trends, nights burning the midnight oil revising blueprints.[]
Her design style was unique–classically elegant yet modern and minimalist. She quickly stood out in the studio’s internal evaluations.]
A month later, Susan burst excitedly into her office: “Callie! Your ‘Starlight‘ series got selected for the International Design Exhibition!“[]
Callie froze, then her face lit up with barely contained excitement: “Really?!“]
“Absolutely!” Susan waved the invitation in her hand, her voice rising two octaves with excitement, “Next month in Paris, and you have to go in person!“[]
Callie took the invitation, her fingertips trembling slightly.]]
3 YESTS OF TAKE LOVE, NOW I ARTERED THE RIVE! Restend!
She’d always dreamed that one day her work would grace an international stage–she just never imagined it would happen so soon.]
Those long three years–how much had she missed?
At least it wasn’t too late to start over now.
What she didn’t know was that at that very moment, in Ilayes Group headquarters.]]
Declan was flipping through the latest design magazine when his gaze suddenly froze on a particular page.
Next to the “Starlight” series design sketches, the designer’s name was printed clearly: Celia Hart.]
His fingers unconsciously tightened, crumpling the paper.
“Celia Hart…” he repeated in a low voice, his expression unreadable.[]
His assistant stood nearby, saying carefully: “Mr. Hayes, this designer is a rising newcomer with a very unique style. Apparently…“]
“Look into it.” Declan cut him off, his voice cold. “I want everything on this person.“[]
The assistant nodded and left, but Declan kept staring at the design sketches.[]
Too similar.
Those flowing lines, the attention to detail, even that restrained yet powerful style–it all reminded him of Callie’s work he’d once seen.[]
After their confrontation that day, he’d left in a hurry, then tried to find Callie again, only to discover the apartment empty. He’d had his assistant investigate, but this time they couldn’t trace her anywhere.]]
Now, it seemed he had a new lead.[]
“Coincidence?” he murmured to himself, an inexplicable restlessness rising in his chest.[]
Outside the window, night fell deep, the city lights glittering like stars, but they couldn’t illuminate the emptiness in his heart.]
