CLAIRE

The next two weeks passed in a blur of fabric samples, fitting appointments, and late nights at the production house. Nina had assembled a small team to help prepare for the showcase, seamstresses who worked quickly and precisely, bringing my sketches to life.

I'd chosen eight pieces for the show, a carefully curated collection that told a story from beginning to end, from darkness to light, from broken to whole, from lost to found. It wasn't subtle but it was honest, and that felt right.

Julian had been dealing with his own chaos, meetings with lawyers, preparing for the trial that was scheduled to start in three weeks, giving...