Chapter 26
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Right on the dot at 11:30 AM, Lilian strode into the studio. Natalie chatted with her for an hour, dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on the details, and two fresh designs got penciled into Lilian’s order.
Lilian had the air of a demanding diva with a wish list that seemed endless, yet Natalie, embodying the perfect hostess, managed to fulfill every single one of her requests.
“Nice job, Ms. Wilson. Let’s make sure those dresses for my birthday bash arrive right on time,” Lilian said, extending her hand for a shake.
Natalie grasped it with a confident smile. “Absolutely, Ms. Merritt. You can count on us to make your birthday unforgettable.”
“I’ve got to hand it to you—your designs have got real flair. Eager to check out the final product. Catch you later,” Lilian added with a wave as she walked away.
“Your stamp of approval is the cherry on top. See you around, Ms. Merritt,” Natalie replied, her smile as bright as the stars.
The moment the door clicked shut behind Lilian, Natalie and Sherry exhaled in unison. With this huge order with Lilian, their sails were set fair for the horizon.
Lilian’s bash was shaping up to be the event where all the bigwigs would be seen, with Lilian herself as the shining star of the evening. The dress she’d be wearing would be like a moving, breathing billboard for Mystique Atelier. Natalie and Sherry were playing the strategic game, aiming for the long–term payoff.
Meanwhile, Natalie, who’d just landed the big one, was clueless that the two little ones had slipped off to hunt down Shawn.
Across town, Shawn pulled into Starlight Bar, his go–to spot. His crew was already huddled up inside. He slipped in and claimed a stool. Without a word, he knocked back a shot and then another, his face a mask of quiet intensity.
Observing Shawn’s drinking session, Charles looked quizzically at the rest of the group. “What’s up with Shawn?” he questioned, his brow furrowing.
Heads shook all around the table. Nobody had a clue what was eating at Shawn.
Shawn wasn’t having any of the conversation buzzing around him. He lifted his glass, about to down another shot.
Right then, Aaron caught his arm, his grip firm. “Yo, bro, ease up on the drink. You keep guzzling like that, and we’ll be dialing 911 for you,” Aaron warned, his tone serious with concern.
“Right, but Natalie’s not gonna be your designated driver tonight,” Charles said, the words slipping out before he could filter them. He winced almost immediately, rubbing his nose as he looked away, feeling the weight of his blunder.
Charles was in the dark about the ins and outs of Shawn’s divorce, and with Natalie MIA from their hangouts ever since, and Tracy now glued to Shawn’s side, bringing up Natalie seemed a bit off–key.
At the mere mention of Natalie’s name, Shawn finally broke the ice. “She’s back in Janisburg.”
There was a moment of puzzled silence as everyone processed the information. “Huh?” they echoed, the realization slowly dawning on them about who was being referred to.
“Natalie’s back in town?” Charles, now up to speed, nearly hit the roof.
Aaron suspected that Shawn’s divorce might have been partly to dig into the mystery of his parents‘ passing, but he was iffy if Shawn had real feelings for Natalie. After all, it wasn’t like Shawn had married her out of love.
Speaking of the deaths of Shawn’s parents, Karst had been off the radar for years, leaving no clues about his whereabouts or any link to Tracy.
Only last month, Aaron got a whisper from a contact in the Daharam region that Hawkeye, Karst’s trusted sidekick, might have slipped into the country, though which city he was holed up in remained a mystery.
Hayden had been at home more often, while Shawn took on all the international trips, leaving domestic affairs to Hayden.
Sabrina had interned at Evercrest Group and stayed on after graduation, now serving as Hayden’s assistant. Despite being Shawn’s cousin, she had worked her way up, proving her dedication and hard work. She had honed her skills and could now hold her own.
Abby, Hayden’s sister, had ventured into directing, nabbing some newcomer awards for her short films and web series. She’d officially stepped into
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Chapter 26
the director’s chair, making a name for herself in the industry.
Fred had undergone the most dramatic change, from a ladies‘ man to a scandal–free gentleman. The world thought Fred had turned over a new leaf, but his close friends knew it was all because of Meghan. Since her arrival, no other woman had been in Fred’s life; it seemed he was truly smitten by Meghan.
Charles was still the life of the party, indulging in food, drink, and fun. He used to get Sabrina and Abby to join in, but now that they were busy, his invitations were rarely accepted. He went to hang out with Fred, but ever since Fred got together with Meghan, he seemed less interested in spending time with him. Left to his own devices, Charles often ended up at Shawn’s office, filling the air with his sighs.
Shawn’s buddies were all curious about his next move with Natalie back in Janisburg.
Charles finally broke the silence, asking, “Shawn, are you gonna go after Natalie?”
“No,” Shawn replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice. “When we split, Natalie left without taking her sh She’s earned it. Maybe she’s got her own thing going on now. I won’t butt in.”
of the money. I’ve had Eric take it to her.
His words were casual, but the mood was heavy. Shawn’s drinking and sulking spoke volumes. His buddies exchanged knowing looks but kept their thoughts to themselves, raising their glasses in a silent toast.
Aaron had put a stop to Shawn’s drinking, and now Shawn was sprawling on the leather sofa with his eyes shut, a frown etched o
Seeing this, Aaron and the others let it be. They carried on with their drinks, and the night dragged on until Hayden, the ba
everyone got home safe, leaving last himself.
on his face.
owner, made sure
Back at the villa, Shawn was hit with a wave of loneliness that mirrored Natalie’s absence. Vivid memories of her bustling around the kitchen, the smell of her cooking, and the warm anticipation of their dinners together filled his mind.
He trudged upstairs, the silence of the house pressing down on him. In the darkness of his room, Shawn perched on the edge of the bed, his thoughts a whirlwind, before he mustered the energy to hit the shower.
It wasn’t just the booze, though; it was the news of Natalie that had him reeling. After four long years of silence, she was back in Janisburg, closer than ever, and it was bringing back memories of their life before the divorce.
Before their marriage, Shawn had Natalie sign a prenup. He’d married her under pressure, with no real feelings involved. Raised with old–school values, he’d held onto the hope for Tracy for what seemed like forever.
But things changed after an unexpected turn with Natalie. Shawn started treating her like a real husband would, considering the possibility of a real marriage.
However, Tracy’s return and the suspicious circumstances of his parents‘ deaths complicated things. Shawn was unsure of Natalie’s thoughts, guessing she might have married him out of obligation. After all, no one in their right mind would marry someone they barely knew.
So, Shawn suggested a divorce, and Natalie didn’t argue. He figured it was probably what she wanted, too.
Snapping out of it, Shawn stepped out of the shower. He flopped onto his bed, the alcohol’s numbing effect now gone.
Lying there, staring blankly at the ceiling, he acted out of habit. His hand instinctively reached for the nightstand drawer and found the familiar bottle of sleeping pills. Without a moment’s pause, he popped a couple into his mouth, swallowing them dry.
