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.”

hesitation, the model finally

touch her ankle.

my fingertips. It started off as a cool stream, like

I felt the tension in the model’s ankle release, her muscles relaxing as

I whispered, pulling my hand back. “Try it

surprise and relief on her face. Her tears began to fade as she looked

she breathed, a smile breaking

rising. “It’s what I’m here for. Now, get into place–you’re going to

feet, her previous limp now gone. The relief from the surrounding crew was palpable, and I looked

as

stage manager said, clapping her hands together. “It’s go

58%

the music began to play, a hush fell over the audience. I slipped into the shadows

as the first model stepped into

his classic Brooks Designs style: a matching trousers and blazer set with an oversized, masculine fit. The shoulders draped easily over

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

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

the countless hours, the intricate stitching, the late–night sketches, and

glanced up, finding Edwin beside me, his gaze focused on the runway but his approval humming through the bond. My mother stood

speak. None of us could. We just watched in awe, holding each other. Piece after piece walked the runway, and the audience’s murmurs of appreciation grew louder, a few exclamations of awe reaching my ears as each new design was revealed. It seemed that our collection was being

finally, it was time for the final

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

nonsense.

final model stepped onto the runway. I held my breath as she took her first step, the

drawings interwoven into every inch of the design. There were the cheerful drawings he’d shown me, the flowers and birds

hundreds, all of them coalescing into the train at

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