Chapter 12
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"Blake, I've been thinking."
"I don't blame you anymore. Whatever happened between us—the misunderstandings, the pain—I'm past it."
"We've both died once, so I'll be honest. In my previous life, I loved you more than breathing. I would have sacrificed everything for you."
Blake's face lit up, and he moved to embrace me. I stepped back and continued:
"In this life, yes, I have feelings for you. But I love my independence and success more."
His hopeful expression crumbled.
"I won't marry you. I refuse to be just Mrs. Hayes again—a woman whose entire identity is being someone's wife and mother."
Maybe marrying Blake would make me richer on paper, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of building something myself, of knowing my own worth.
"I'm applying to design school in Paris. I want to keep growing, learning, becoming the best version of myself.
"So Blake, let's set each other free."
After saying my piece, I felt lighter. As I turned to leave, Blake caught me from behind, his arms wrapping around my waist.
"I'll support whatever you want to do. Will you let me be the one standing beside you while you conquer the world?"
Epilogue 1
I kicked Blake out of bed at dawn. This man has been flying to Paris every chance he gets lately.
I'll be late for my design workshop again.
I have sketches to finish for fashion week, classes to attend, and this insatiable man still has the audacity to keep me up all night.
Three months later, I debuted my first collection at Paris Fashion Week.
I asked Jane to be my finale model.
When the music faded and I stepped onto the runway with my models for the final bow, I surveyed the audience.
Fashion editors, celebrities, buyers, and industry powerhouses filled the front row.
They watched my vision come to life, applauding my creations.
In that moment, emotion overwhelmed me, tears streaming freely down my face.
I took a deep bow, heart pounding.
Blake stood first, followed by Lena, my parents, and the entire audience in a standing ovation.
Be who you were meant to be, not who others expect you to become.
I fucking did it.
Epilogue 2
Harrison Stone had a problem. His normally workaholic boss was constantly disappearing to Paris to chase his girlfriend.
The real issue? This girlfriend refused to make things "official" despite years of pursuit.
Meanwhile, Harrison was drowning in paperwork and executive decisions.
Scrolling through TMZ's latest photos of his boss trailing after a woman with puppy-dog eyes, begging: "Emma, when are you going to put me out of my misery and make this official?"
Harrison massaged his temples. Was this lovesick puppy really the same cutthroat CEO who terrified Wall Street?
How could one man contain such contradictory personalities?
Blake, who had followed Emma to the Maldives and was currently massaging sunscreen into her shoulders, suddenly sneezed twice.
"Someone's gossiping about me."
"Emma, the sun's brutal out here. Let's head back to the villa for more… productive activities. You still owe me that $500, by the way. Make it an even grand and I'll throw in a 20% loyalty discount. Deal?"
Watching Blake's eager expression, Emma smirked. For skills that impressive, $500 was honestly a bargain.
