Page 37 of And Back

"Maybe if I change the neckline," I ponder aloud. My hands move instinctively, folding and pinning until a new neckline takes shape. This time, a small smile creeps onto my face as I see the improvement. The lines are cleaner now, more elegant.

But then my eyes catch another flaw—the waistline seems too loose. Frustration bubbles up inside me as I unpin and adjust once more. "Come on," I whisper, my fingers working faster now. After several tries, I finally get it right. The waist cinches in just the way I want, accentuating the silhouette beautifully.

Time flies by as I make more tweaks and adjustments. Each change brings me closer to the vision in my mind's eye. Before long, I'm completely lost in my creative process—cutting fabric here, sewing seams there, and adding intricate details that make each piece unique.

Hours pass in a blur of activity until finally, I step back from the mannequin and take a deep breath. The finished design stands before me like a work of art come to life. My heart swells with pride as I realize just how much I've poured into this creation.

"I love it," I whisper softly to myself, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction wash over me.

The door creaks open behind me and Valerie steps into the room with a smile on her face. "Zoe! You've been busy," she says warmly.

I turn to her with a beaming smile. "Valerie! Look at this!" I exclaim, gesturing toward the mannequin.

Valerie's eyes light up as she takes in the sight of my finished design. "Zoe, this is absolutely stunning!" she exclaims, walking around the mannequin to get a closer look.

I can't help but beam with pride. "You really think so?"

"Absolutely," Valerie says with a confident nod. "You're sure to win with this one." She winks at me, and we both smile.

"Well, let's hope the judges think so too," I say, still chuckling. "Otherwise, I'm going to have to bribe them with cupcakes or something."

Valerie grins. "Now there's an idea! Who could resist a cupcake bribe?"

We share a laugh, and for a moment, it feels like everything is going to be okay.

Valerie steps closer to the mannequin and examines it more closely. Her fingers gently touch the fabric, her eyes scrutinizing every detail. She points to the upper part of the design. There's a spot here that seems a bit... bare."

I nod enthusiastically, already anticipating her observation. "Yeah, I’m thinking of adding some beading there to give it a bit more sparkle and dimension."

Valerie’s face lights up with approval. "That's a great idea, it'll add just the right touch of elegance."

"Thank you," I reply, feeling a rush of excitement at her validation.

Valerie takes a step back and crosses her arms, studying the design with pride. "You know," she says softly, "I'm so happy to be part of your journey. Seeing you grow and create like this... it's truly inspiring."

Her words touch me deeply, and I feel a lump forming in my throat. "I couldn't have done it without you," I say sincerely.

Valerie shakes her head with a warm smile. "You've always had this talent inside you, Zoe. All I've done is help you bring it out." She places a hand on my shoulder and looks me straight in the eye. "Mark my words: you're going to become one of the most famous designers in the world."

My heart swells with gratitude and determination. Hearing those words from someone I admire so much feels like a dream come true.

"Thank you, Valerie," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

She squeezes my shoulder before stepping back to give me space to work again.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

VIRGILIO

Rage boils in my veins as I grip the steering wheel, knuckles aching from the pressure. The road to our secret meeting spot feels like an endless, torturous stretch.

My mind races with thoughts of Dante—how could he betray me like this? Telling Zoe was a mistake, and now I’m paying the price.

It's been two days since she walked out of my life. Two agonizing days since she left, and she hasn’t picked up any of my calls or responded to my messages. My heart feels like it's being ripped apart by her silence. I never imagined feeling this devastated, not after everything I've endured. But this? This is different. This is a pain that stabs at my soul.

I love Zoe. I've loved her since we were kids, since those fleeting moments of happiness we snatched from the jaws of our respective hells. Her laughter, her passion for life and everything about her made me feel alive. Now, that light is gone again, and I'm left stumbling in the dark.

I didn't mean to hurt her. God knows I didn't. Every action, every decision was meant to protect her, to shield her from the ugliness that surrounds my life. Yet, in trying to keep her safe, I've pushed her away. The irony stings worse than any physical blow I've ever taken.

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