la'

now if I believe that, but what I know is that when

that was left, which I doubt he or his mother knew, was exposure. Eric had introduced me to the beauty world, to salon moguls and cosmetic CEOs. I'

cing. And by the second week of my divorce, Belle's Beauty was at every beauty co

I wore a beautiful red dress, hoping to convince potential investors my d

guided me toward my table. "You'll

d. "Tha

ul, tailored clothes. My seat was at the corner, under

g down, exh

" A soft voice c

ide me sat a woma

m Bella,"

That's an interesting concept. Clean beauty with a luxury

thank her, my n

ng slightly in my hand. I looked out int

that outlasts the moment. Because life smudges, it cracks, and it tests us. But women..." my throat tightened,

was silent. I feared I failed, but then, everyone clapped. I was filled with re

I met him.

s. Hayes," he said in a low voice. "C

e name. Warren Capital didn't just fund

ren," I

aid. "But I'd like to he

n? Someone pinch me, c

bout a lot, and I answered brilliantly. Slowly, our conversation shifted from business to childhood, from childhood to fears. He

me to his penthouse. He poured me wine, moving smoo

id, standing a

I whi

box. He opened it, revealing a beautiful, st

me,"

id with my t

o know, Bella. I don't see you as fragile, or weak, or broken. I s

etching out my hand for him to p

u w

urse,

** ** *

wore lace again, but this

en I walked toward him, every memory of who I was before faded away. I wasn't the Bella who

founder of Belle's Beauty, an

on. And then the priest's voice broke t

husband and wife. You

t suddenly, everything shifted around me. My chest tightened, and my vision swayed. The chandeliers abo

but it was hard. The

ounded worried. "Bella?" he called out. "

sound came out. My knees buckled, and my bo

collectively. Th

it the floor. There was panic in his voice. "Bella... Bella, pleas

lt heavy. And the last thing I heard before my eyes

he ambu