THE MANSI

rch, leaving me alone in the biggest house I

t through my thoughts, "Com

ht mansion felt alive. The shiny floors reflected the lights like water. My reflection on the mirrors that lined the hallways

sion, I admired the books sorted by co

ssed a long aisle lined with art on the walls, "The fashion world isn't all

ait of her wearing a crown of black feathers and a

ood. No place for weakn

, like a promise and

tered in the soft light and a balcony displaying a beautiful aerial view of t

," I said, my

r will be ready soon. Freshe

? Yesterday I was just Rain from nowhere. Today I was living under the sa

. The man from the hotel. The man whose touch refus

as there to achieve under the wings of Katherine Knight. Nothing else counted. W

ave a way of

tal glasses. Katherine was already seated at the head of the table, elegant as ev

orld was reduced to just the two of us. His gaze wasn't soft or

ed gracefully. "

ss from them, praying my shak

ng up, celebrity clients, and an upcoming partnership with a Paris brand. Adr

said suddenly. "What

from scraps. It was the only thing th

ood answer. Passion and pain

e low and calm. "Katherine, yo

ing at me. My pulse was fast. The air between us was thick w

e excused herself to take the call. "Rain, feel free to explore the

ach tig

was filled with images of Katherine on the runways, Katherine with presidents

herself everywhere

ed. "She's..

" he said, his eyes

e. His voice softened. "You

as for the best. What h

loser, "Because it

vision getting blur

slowly.

expression: regret, desire,

ever happened, pl

me to feel his breath o

voice echoed from upstairs. "Adria

s face returning to calm perfec

painting, looking composed,

eared minutes later, "Ah, found it! Rain, I

It's... all

m, her diamond ring catching the light. "You'

h to take my breath away. As they disappeared down the hall, I stood alone, swallowed by a truth that I couldn't face yet. Because deep down