"When are you finally going to give me a title, Evangeline?"

"Pfft!" Waylen, who was driving, couldn't hold it back. He choked on his own laughter.

"I’m... I’m sorry, sir. Ha..."

Marcellus shot him a glare that could kill. *Tch! He really doesn't have the situational awareness his brother Wylder has.*

The romantic tension shattered. They sat in an awkward, heavy silence for the rest of the drive until they reached the C&R Atelier. Marcellus, reluctant to let her go, pulled her into his arms for one last tight squeeze.

*Muah! Muah! Muah! Muah!*

Evangeline cupped his face, peppering him with rapid-fire kisses like a bird pecking at grain. Before he could react, she hopped out of the car and darted inside.

*Whew.* The man was getting clingier by the day.

"Oh ho! Back from your little date?" Remi teased the moment she walked in.

"Don't be jealous, Remi! Didn't I come back to pull an all-nighter with you? You’re still my number one!" She flashed a heart gesture with her fingers and gave a playful wink.

"Wow! My heart just exploded," Remi joked, clutching her chest and pretending to collapse.

They dissolved into laughter, the mood light and easy. For the past few days, they had practically lived in the atelier. When inspiration struck, they wouldn't look up for ten, maybe twelve hours straight. They were physically wrecked, but their eyes remained sharp and hungry—the intoxicating rush of true passion.

They slumped onto the couch in a messy heap, finally pausing for a breather. They locked eyes and burst out laughing.

"Look at us, we look like total hags," Evangeline chuckled. "Seriously, these dark circles are out of control."

"Evangeline, we need to expand the team," Remi said, wiping her face.

"I know. If we don't, we’re going to burn out before we even get off the ground."

"I'll have Jemma handle the recruitment. We need hands for production, pattern-making, and sourcing. We’ll handle the design team interviews ourselves."

"Perfect."

With a plan in motion, things started running like clockwork. With the new staff settling in and productivity surging, the weight finally lifted from their shoulders.

A few days later, Evangeline received a call from her mother. As she listened, the expression on her face was one of cold, crystalline satisfaction. It was the look of someone watching an enemy finally get their due.

The moment the call ended, Remi stepped in and pulled her into a soft embrace. She didn't need to ask; she knew exactly who and what had triggered that look.

"The verdict is in?"

"Five years," Evangeline whispered.

She lifted her chin and drew a deep breath. A weight she hadn't realized she was carrying finally shattered. It felt incredible.

This was the closure she had been waiting for, across two lifetimes. From this day forward, Cassidy would be defined by public scorn and social exile. In this city, she would never find a place to stand again.

What goes around comes around—no matter how high you think you’ve flown, you can’t escape the drop.

"Remi, we've been running on fumes for weeks. Let’s take the day off. We need to reset."

"I’m in. How about a trip to the spa?" Remi rolled her shoulders, feeling the knots of tension. "My neck is practically fused at this point."

"Done."

They packed their bags and headed straight for a luxury resort on the outskirts of the city. A sprawling, grand European-style estate greeted them, the entrance marked by massive, gilded letters. Beyond the gates, it was a hidden paradise: sports facilities, gourmet dining, and sprawling hot spring villas. Everything they needed.

When they reached their suite, Remi let out a shriek of delight and threw herself onto the plush bed. "Oh my god, Evangeline, I’m never leaving."

Evangeline laughed, watching her friend sprawl out like a starfish. "Alright, princess. Go change. Let’s hit the pools."

"You got it!"

Evangeline slipped into a simple black one-piece. It didn’t have any bells or whistles, but against her porcelain skin, it was striking. The suit hugged her curves perfectly, the dark fabric highlighting her alabaster glow. Remi’s eyes went wide.

"Beauty! Give us a squeeze!" Remi purred, moving in to nuzzle her.

"Get off, you weirdo!" Evangeline pushed her friend's face away, blushing.

"C'mon, let's go!"

Wrapped in their robes, they walked down to the springs hand-in-hand. As they reached the edge of the pool, Remi dipped a toe in, letting out a long, blissed-out sigh. "Get in, Evangeline! It’s heaven!"

Evangeline shed her robe and waded into the water. Steam rose from the depths, curling into the cool air and turning the pool into a misty, ethereal dreamscape. The heat opened her pores, melting away the fatigue until her entire body felt like it was floating.

They lounged for half an hour until Remi grew thirsty.

"I'm going to grab some fruit and drinks," Remi said, already climbing out.

"Sure thing," Evangeline murmured, eyes closed.

Remi tossed her robe over her shoulders and headed toward the refreshments area. She scanned the spread, her eyes landing on a pitcher of orange juice. She made a beeline for it, but wasn't looking at her path, slamming squarely into a hard, muscular chest.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" she stammered, rubbing her forehead.

"Ms. Crawford?"

Recognizing the voice, Remi looked up. "Oh. Mr. Spencer? What a surprise."

The impact had caused her robe to slip, baring her shoulders. Dressed in a bright dragon-fruit pink swimsuit, her skin looked flushed and dewy from the heat. Damian’s gaze flickered momentarily to the swell of her chest before he snapped his head away, clearly flustered.

Remi quickly clutched her robe shut, her face burning crimson. She grabbed the juice and practically sprinted away.

Damian watched her go, a faint, amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Here, Evangeline," Remi said, handing her a glass, her mouth already running. "I just ran into that creep Damian. He was totally staring!"

Evangeline chuckled. "Damian is usually so polished. I’m surprised he lost his cool."

"Polished? You have no idea what happened last time..." Remi launched into a rant about how Damian had insisted on driving her home.

Evangeline just smiled to herself. *Classic.*

After the spa, they had a massage therapist come to their suite. By the time they were finished, every bone in their bodies felt like liquid. They lay there, too relaxed to move, until the sun dipped low and the room turned dim.

Then, Evangeline’s phone buzzed.

"Hello? Marcellus?"

"Come out. We're going to eat."

"I'm not at the studio. I’m at the resort with Remi, we’re at the spa."

"Open the door."

"Wait, what?"

Evangeline leaped off the bed, stunned. She padded to the door and peered through the peephole. Sure enough, that infuriatingly handsome face was standing right there in the hallway.

"Marcellus!" She threw the door open, launching herself into his arms and wrapping her hands around his lean waist. "How are you here?"

"Damian told me where you were. So I came."

"Okay... wait here. I just need to get changed with Remi and we'll be right out."

He nodded, patient as ever.

"Remi, get up, we're going to dinner. Marcellus is waiting outside," Evangeline called back into the room.

"Ugh, your Mr. Alexander is so clingy! He actually chased you all the way here!" Remi teased.

"Hmph! Just wait until you fall for someone. I’ll make sure to roast you twice as hard!"

They laughed and hurried to get dressed. When they stepped out, Remi gave him a polite nod. "Mr. Alexander."

"Good evening, Ms. Crawford," he replied, his eyes never leaving Evangeline.