After days of burning the midnight oil, Sadie’s dress was finally finished.

"Evangeline, I love it," Sadie whispered. Her eyes shimmered as she reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched the fabric.

"Want to try it on?"

"Yes, please!"

"Alright, let me help you."

Evangeline carefully unhooked the garment from the mannequin and guided Sadie into the fitting room. Sadie stripped, revealing a frame that looked dangerously frail, her bones sharp and protruding beneath her pale skin. She cast her eyes downward, unable to meet her own reflection, filled with a visceral sense of inadequacy.

"Evangeline... am I ugly?"

Evangeline’s heart ached. She brushed a hand over Sadie’s prominent spine, her voice softening into a comforting hum. "You’re beautiful, Sadie. You’re pure and kind, like a little angel who lost her way to heaven."

She tried to keep her tone steady, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her. Sadie lowered her head, a bitter, self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The air in the room grew heavy with the weight of her sorrow.

Evangeline quickly moved to help her into the gown. "Sadie, look up. Look at yourself."

Sadie lifted her chin. The dull, hollow look in her eyes was suddenly replaced by a shock of genuine surprise. In the mirror, she looked like a forest sprite; the emerald silk cast a soft, ethereal glow against her skin. She choked back a sob, tears welling in her eyes.

"Evangeline, I look... I look healthy."

Usually, the clothes she wore hung loosely off her skeletal frame, making her look like she might collapse at any second, prompting strangers to steer clear of her on the street.

Evangeline reached behind her and carefully placed the headpiece on her hair. Sadie gasped. "Evangeline, this is...?"

"Remi made it for you. She put it all together by hand."

The headpiece was a delicate web of silver wire and crystal, with two long, shimmering tassels that disappeared into her hair—a dreamlike, woodland aesthetic that perfectly complemented the gown. A wave of warmth washed over Sadie, leaving her breathless. "Thank you both. This is the most beautiful moment of my life."

Evangeline pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair in a silent, grounding embrace.

***

Once Sadie left, Evangeline slumped into her chair, staring at the growing stack of orders, feeling a heavy weight in her chest.

"Remi, if it's just the two of us, we’re going to be slaving away until we're eighty," she sighed.

Remi stepped behind her, working the tension out of her shoulders. Most of their clients were coming specifically for Evangeline, which meant the brunt of the production fell squarely on her.

"Finding a reliable designer is a nightmare," Remi grumbled. "The ones who are actually good are already locked into roles at major houses, and the rest... well, it’s a mess."

Evangeline’s eyes sharpened, a sudden idea sparking in her mind. "Remi, what if we officially incorporate? If we open a proper company, we can attract real talent."

A small studio was invisible to high-caliber professionals, but a legitimate entity was a different story.

"But we have no idea how to manage a company," Remi said, her enthusiasm dampened by the cold reality of their inexperience.

Evangeline thought back to her time shadowing her father at the office. She knew the basics, but she was hardly an expert. She began to scan her memories for someone—anyone—who possessed the financial and managerial acumen they lacked.

A name surfaced.

"Remi, do you remember Noah Mitchell from school?"

"Noah? The guy from the finance department?"

Noah was icy, reserved, and had a difficult home life, but he was brilliant. He topped every professional exam without breaking a sweat, though his abrasive personality often rubbed colleagues the wrong way. Rumor had it he’d retreated back to his hometown after being pushed out of his last firm.

"But... with his prickly personality, do you really think we can get him on board?"

"I heard his mother has a heart condition," Evangeline said, her voice steady. "They’re drowning in medical debt. If we show up with genuine intent and a solid offer, he won’t say no."

"Then let’s go. Now."

They booked a flight, their adrenaline overriding their exhaustion. Noah lived in a small rural township in the Midwest, nowhere near a major airport. It would take a flight, then a three-hour drive.

They set off at seven the next morning. After a four-hour flight and a grueling two-hour car ride through winding backroads, they finally reached the town. The cramped taxi ride, combined with the motion sickness, had left them feeling like their stomachs were inside out. The moment they stepped out of the car, they both doubled over at the roadside.

Evangeline felt the acidic burn of bile in her throat. She chugged half a bottle of water, trying to soothe the fire.

"You okay, Remi?"

Remi wiped her mouth, looking pale. "Motion sickness is a special kind of hell."

Despite the physical toll, their resolve didn't waver. They asked around until a local shopkeeper pointed them toward the outskirts of town. When they knocked on the door of the address provided, there was no answer. They tried the neighbor’s house instead.

"Excuse me, ma’am," Evangeline called out. "Do you know when Noah Mitchell usually gets home?"

The woman eyed them suspiciously. "Who are you two?"

"Old classmates of his."

"Oh. He’s at his noodle shop in town. He stays there until midnight. You won't find him here."

"Could you tell us where the shop is?"

The woman hesitated, frowning. "You aren't here to collect a debt, are you?"

Evangeline waved her hands quickly. "No, not at all."

The woman kept a wary eye on them. "That boy has had a rough go of it. Don’t go causing trouble at his place."

"We promise, we really are just his classmates."

The woman eventually gave them the location. They walked the rest of the way, spotting Noah through the window, tied into an apron and working the counter.

Evangeline met Remi’s eyes. They were exhausted, but they had finally found him.

Evangeline approached the counter. "Noah!"

Noah looked up, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Evangeline?"

Evangeline flashed him a bright, disarming smile. "Noah, could you fix us two bowls of noodles?"

"Sure. Sit down."

The food arrived steaming hot. Evangeline took a bite and felt a wave of relief as the warm, savory broth hit her empty, churning stomach. She felt human again.

Noah watched them eat, his expression guarded. "Why are you here?"

Evangeline put her bowl down, her face turning serious. "We’re launching a design firm, and we want you to manage it."

Noah’s eyes flickered with surprise, but his face quickly turned to stone. "I’m fine here. The city isn’t for me."

"This shop might keep you afloat," Evangeline said, looking him in the eye, "but only if your mother stays healthy."

Noah’s face darkened, his jaw tightening. "Evangeline, you don't—"

"Noah, the girl is right," a soft voice interrupted.

An older woman emerged from the back of the shop.

"Mom, you shouldn't be out here," Noah said, his voice laced with protective tension.

"I don't want to be a burden, Noah," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Evangeline looked at the floor, suddenly feeling the weight of her own forwardness. "I’m sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"I know you meant well, dear," his mother said kindly.

Noah turned back to them, still bristling. "My shop is profitable enough. Why should I move across the country for you?"

Evangeline slid a business card and a bank draft across the wooden table. "There is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars on this card. It’s a retainer for the startup costs and a sign of our commitment. I’m offering you a ten percent equity stake in the company as a founding partner."

Noah stared at the draft, dumbstruck. "What?"

"We need the best, Noah. I know you can lead us to where we need to be."

Noah looked at his mother. She nodded, a soft smile on her lips. It was the break they had been waiting for.

"I'll do it," Noah finally said.

Evangeline and Remi shared a triumphant look. The deal was set.