Chapter 13
I had to admit–Rolin was damn good at what he did.
Just three months after I submitted my designs, my collection became the flagship line of his brand’s latest launch
The response? Unprecedented.
The pieces sold out instantly. The sell–through rate hit record highs.
And for the first time, the name Sabrina Wells started making waves to the industry.
Not as Mason’s girlfriend.
Not as anyone’s anything–just me.
And God, it felt amazing
At the launch party that evening, I saw Mason again.
Since the fashion company encouraged everyone to embrace their personal style–even the bolder, the better I went back to the way I jused to dress.
Short black skirt, fall leather boots, sharp winged eyeliner. And I’d finally tried that long–awaited braided hairstyle.
When Mason spotted me from across the room, he clearly didn’t recognize me at first.
But then came that second look.
And I could see it the exact moment his eyes lit up in surprise.
Rolin arrived not long after, loud and animated as always. He spotted me right away, made a beeline over, and without saying a word- took off his button–up and draped it over my legs.
Then leaned down and whispered,
“Sabs, I’m not being old–fashioned or anything but that skirt’s a bit short. Just a little something to help you sit comfortably.”
“And also,” he added with a sheepish grin, “Mason’s company has a killer distribution network, so we partnered with them on the backend. Hope that’s cool?”
I burst out laughing e at his awkward tone.
I just shook my head.
Business and personal? I knew how to separate the two
After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was buzzing and rosy–cheeked. I leaned back in my seat, mentally calculating the bonus I’d just earned.
Rough estimate?
Two or three more projects like this and I’d have enough to study abroad in Paris–on my own dime.
Right then, the next round of toasts began.
No escaping it.
My alcohol tolerance was sol
solid, but even I was starting to feel the burn after that many rounds.
When it was my turn, the crowd began chanting
“To the designer queen!”
“To our MVP–bottoms up!”
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Seeing everyone so hyped, I couldn’t bear to kill the vibe.
“Alright, alright! I’ll drink!”
But just as I raised the glass, someone reached over and took it from my hand–and downed it in one shot.
I turned, startled.
It was Mason.
After years of watching him shield Chloe from every toast…
Tonight, he finally shielded me from one.
Then he swapped seats with the person next to me and slid into the chair beside mine.
He glanced at Rolin’s shirt draped over my thighs lingering on it a bit too long–then said softly:
“Sabrina, can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
“…Do you still love me?
I looked at his flushed cheeks, the damp shimmer in his eyes, and answered honestly.
“I do.”
He froze for a few seconds.
Then his whole face lit up, and he grabbed my shoulders.
“If you still love me, then let’s get back together! Please, Sabrina–let’s try again!”
I shook my head.
“I do love you… just not enough anymore
He stared at me, confused. Still not getting it
Because now?
I loved myself more.
“What happened?” he asked, nearly begging. “Just tell me what went wrong. fit. I swear–I’ll change.”
“Chloe’s not at the company anymore. I made sure of it. I even went back to my hometown to get our marriage license. We can go to city hall anytime. I’ll buy a bigger house. I’ll give you your own studio. You can paint again. We can start your own brand–just say the word
As he kn
kept talking, all I could think about was how I used to sound just like this.
When I came to him full of dreams and plans–only to get dismissed every time.
His plans now?
They sounded beautiful.
But they weren’t mine anymore.
“We don’t need to change anything,” I said quietly. “Just keep things the way they are.”
“Because I don’t need them anymore.”
He frowned, the same way he always did when he didn’t get his way. His gaze clung to mine, desperate.
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But I just sighed softly.
Too little, too late.
“Sabrina,” he said, voice tight, “Don’t do this.”
1 gave him a gentle smile and echoed his own words back to him:
“Mason, don’t make a scene.
“By my own process, you are already a thing of the past.”
“There’s no place for you in my future.”
He blinked.
I left him with that.
Letting go with grace is the kindest ending I can give us both..
Chapter 13
