Chapter 279

Audrey

Edwin and I emerged from the small room, his hand still resting protectively on my back. The hustle and bustle of last- minute preparations immediately hit us, assistants running back and forth, models being ushered into position, and the soft hum of the audience’s chatter drifting through the walls.

“I guess no one would have noticed our little tryst anyway,” Edwin mused under his breath with a smirk.

I glanced up at him, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively. But a sound caused us both to whip our heads toward the dressing

area.

“Owww! My ankle!”

Exchanging worried glances, Edwin and I rushed toward the sound. A small group had gathered in a huddle near the back of the dressing area. In the center of the commotion was a young woman, one of the models, seated on a chair with her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook as she cried out.

I hurried over, Edwin following closely behind.

“What happened?” I asked, kneeling in front of the model. She looked up at me, her face pale, tears clinging to her lashes. “I–I twisted my ankle really bad,” she stammered, wincing as she shifted her foot slightly. “I was fine earlier, but it hurts to put any weight on it now…”

Someone behind her chimed in, “She tripped backstage. I thought she’d just shaken it off, but…”

I glanced down at her ankle, which was already beginning to swell slightly under the delicate straps of her shoe. The show was minutes from starting. Panic might have been setting in, but I couldn’t afford that luxury–not now.

I took a calming breath, tapping into that silver pool of energy inside of me. With a reassuring smile, I reached out to touch/ her ankle. “May I?” I asked.

She winced, flinching away.

“It’s alright,” I murmured. “I’ll help you.”

of hesitation, the model finally nodded and

touch her ankle.

from my fingertips. It started

tension in the model’s ankle release, her muscles relaxing as the pain ebbed away.

pulling my hand back. “Try it

foot, flexing her ankle with a look of surprise and relief on her

anymore,” she breathed, a smile

nodded, rising. “It’s what I’m here for. Now, get

The relief from the surrounding crew was palpable, and I

as

clapping her hands together.

58%

and the music began to play, a hush fell over the

as the first model stepped

with an oversized, masculine fit. The shoulders draped easily over the model’s slender form, her pointed–toe

and gold threads that he had used to stitch everything together glimmered under the stage lights. Cameras flashed, the crowd

was a stunning slip dress made by my mother in a warm gold tone. The plunging neckline accentuated the model’s bust, the strappy heels and golden arm bands making her look as if she was bound by gold threads. Her hair was long and straight, cascading down her back like a dark

way down the runway, each model a vision of the countless hours, the intricate stitching, the late–night sketches, and the dreams the three of us had poured into

Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the

could. We just watched in awe, holding each other. Piece after piece walked the runway, and the audience’s murmurs of appreciation

was

around Edwin and my mother. I hoped that this piece wasn’t too out there, too eccentric. I hoped that people would understand

nonsense.

stepped onto the runway. I held my breath as she took her first step, the fabric billowing out behind

the flowers and birds and rays of sunlight.

hundreds, all of them coalescing into the train at

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