Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Every time my husband, the elite jewelry designer, releases a new piece, I’m always the first in the world
to wear it, but, not today.
When I saw that rising star crushing the Met Gala with a necklace that put her at #1 on Twitter’s trending list, I immediately called my husband to confront him.
“I can design as many pieces as you want,” he said gently.
“But without that necklace, she wouldn’t have had her viral moment.”
“I owed her a favor and had to repay it. Please try to understand.”
But ten minutes later, he was throwing me under the bus in his interview:
“Compared to my wife, Skylar is much better suited for this design concept.”
“I pursue artistic beauty, not using art as a tool for chasing clout or profit.”
I laughed coldly and called HR directly:
“Gabriel leaked company secrets. Fire him immediately.”
Let’s see how he pursues his artistic beauty without me backing him!
Less than an hour after I sent the notice, Gabriel burst into my office.
“Sonia, how dare you fire me? Over a necklace?” he fumed.
“I’ve told you a thousand times, it was just a favor. Can you stop being so damn petty?”
The door was wide open. The blinds weren’t drawn.
Through the glass walls, dozens of nosy eyes were stealing glances at our showdown.
Fine. I decided to air our dirty laundry right there:
“I’m petty? That’s rich coming from someone bold enough to give away company secrets as personal
favors.”
“Gabriel, don’t pretend you didn’t know this necklace was custom–designed specifically for the Saint Vivienne show.”
Saint Vivienne was the hottest haute couture brand in recent years.
To promote their new collection, they’d approached So’She, the leading jewelry house, to co–host a major
runway event.
At this show, Saint Vivienne’s creative director would unveil a luxury gown he’d spent three entire years designing.
As CEO of So’She and the jewelry supplier, I was naturally chosen to be the premiere model, given my years of perfectly showcasing our pieces and my industry influence.
To complement this gown, I had Gabriel start designing three months in advance.
I even spent $150 million on a rare pink diamond just to perfectly execute his vision.
Yet with two casual words-“a favor“-he handed over our joint passion project to someone else.
help but m
The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and I couldn’t help but mock him:
“With one impulsive gift, you’ve thrown away hundreds of millions. Your sense of ‘loyalty‘ is truly something else!”
Gabriel snorted, his expression arrogant. He clearly believed this was just a tantrum and I wouldn’t actually fire him.
“So what? The Saint Vivienne show is still two weeks away. I can design you another piece.”
“But if you fire me, you’ll have zero backup plan.”
He moved closer, leaning over my desk, looking down at me:
“Sonia, don’t forget, this necklace has already gone viral. A–list celebrities and serious collectors would kill to get their hands on it.”
“Without me, where will you find a better designer? Even if you somehow did, could they create something that tops the legend this necklace has already become?”
I stared him down, matching his energy:
“You really think you’re the only genius designer in the world?”
“Let me tell you something, Gabriel. I had the vision to discover you and elevate you to the top. I can just as easily watch you crash back down to nothing!”
Hearing this, he didn’t even flinch. Instead, he became even more audacious, flashing a cruel smile:
23:07 C
Seven Years Together… And I Was Just His Plan B
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Fine! I can’t wait to see you try!”
With that, he slapped his signed termination agreement on my desk, chin held high, and stormed out of my office.
Barely five minutes after he left, my assistant rushed in, panic written all over her face:
“We have a serious problem, Ms. Gray. Gabriel has destroyed all the design files!”
123078
Chapter 1
Every time my husband, the elite jewelry designer, releases a new piece, I’m always the first in the world to wear it, but not today.
When i saw that rising star crushing the Met Gala with a necklace that put her at #1 on Twitter’s trending list, I immediately called my husband to confront him.
“I can design as many pieces as you want,” he said gently.
“But without that necklace, she wouldn’t have had her viral moment.”
“I owed her a favor and had to repay it. Please try to understand.”
But ten minutes later, he was throwing me under the bus in his interview:
“Compared to my wife, Skylar is much better suited for this design concept.”
“I pursue artistic beauty, not using art as a tool for chasing clout or profit.”
I laughed coldly and called HR directly:
“Gabriel leaked company secrets. Fire him immediately.”
Let’s see how he pursues his artistic beauty without me backing him!
Less than an hour after I sent the notice, Gabriel burst into my office.
“Sonia, how dare you fire me? Over a necklace?” he fumed.
Tve told you a thousand times, it was just a favor. Can you stop being so damn petty?”
The door was wide open. The blinds weren’t drawn.
Through the glass walls, dozens of nosy eyes were stealing glances at our showdown.
Fine. I decided to air our dirty laundry right there:
Tm petty? That’s rich coming from someone bold enough to give away company secrets as personal favors.”
“Gabriel, don’t pretend you didn’t know this necklace was custom designed specifically for the Saint
Vivienne show.”
Chapter 11
“You told me you didn’t want to get married, didn’t want a license–but with her, you had no problem doing either.”
He went silent.
Then quietly, “We can get married. We can have a wedding. I mean it.”
I actually laughed.
“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?”
I hung up and boarded the plane.
Three months later, I officially took over my father’s multinational company.
Seven years with Dashiell hadn’t dulled my business instincts.
The company thrived under my leadership.
Later, my brother called from back home with an update on Anna and Dashiell.
They divorced.
Anna terminated the pregnancy.
But even then, Dashiell didn’t look at her twice.
The internet still hadn’t forgiven her.
Eventually, she took her own life.
Not long after, Dashiell got into a car accident.
He’s in a coma now–a vegetable.
But none of that matters anymore.
My seven–year heartbreak is over.
And I’ve finally started my real life.
