CLAIRE

The morning after the gala, I woke up feeling lighter than I had in weeks. I made coffee and settled at the kitchen counter with my laptop, ready to check orders and respond to customer messages.

Julian was still asleep, which was rare. The gala must have exhausted him more than he'd let on. I opened my email and my stomach immediately dropped.

Subject: Order Cancellation Confirmation

Then another.

Subject: Order Cancellation Confirmation

And another, and another.

I scrolled through my inbox, my heart racing as I counted. Fifteen order cancellations, all within the past three hours.

Fifteen customers who'd pre-ordered my designs had suddenly changed their minds overnight....