Seven Years of Love Disappeared with the Wind

I dragged my suitcase back to my studio, where I was temporarily staying.

After graduating from university, Maurice had initially hoped I would join his company.

However, with my parents' support, I insisted on starting my own fashion studio.

Thanks to my fashion design degree and a minor in business administration, I managed to run it smoothly.

Even while I was with Maurice, I never gave up on my career.

Now, I was glad I stuck to it. At least I had a place of my own to retreat to after our breakup.

Exhausted from the past few days, I slept deeply that night.

The next morning, with everything carefully planned, I took my design drafts to the company we collaborated with.

On the way there, I noticed the curious stares from people who passed me, as if they were wondering whether I had spent the night crying over yesterday's events or how long it would take for Maurice and me to reconcile this time.

Once in the meeting room, I confidently presented my designs and the concepts behind them.

The admiration in everyone's eyes restored my confidence.

Unfortunately, my design was rejected, and they chose someone else.

Just as I wondered who could be so talented, I caught a glimpse of Cara in my peripheral vision.

Of course, it was her

Noticing me looking, Cara walked over, slipping her arm through mine with an overly familiar smile.

"Stella, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I didn't expect things to get so out of hand.

"You know, I only feel at ease when Maurice is with me when I'm not feeling well."

In the past, I would have lost my temper, but now I just smiled indifferently.

"No worries. I understand."

For a moment, the smile on Cara's face froze, but she quickly regained her composure and waved to someone behind me.

"Maurice! I think Stella is upset because of me. Why don't we take her out for dinner to make up for it?"

She acted so innocent, already positioning me as an outsider, which made her behavior seem almost childish and ridiculous.

Maurice's cool eyes flickered with a trace of hope.

"Stella, I might have said some harsh things yesterday. A new French restaurant just opened on West Street. How about we try it together?"

I knew Maurice was trying to make peace.

Early in our relationship, we hadn't argued for years, until Cara returned to the country a year ago.

Since then, she had been the source of our arguments.

After each fight, Maurice would act as if nothing had happened, and I would foolishly forgive him, allowing him to take me for granted.

But not this time. I wouldn't go back.

"Maurice, I thought I made myself clear last night. We've broken up. There's no need for dinner."

Cara's eyes widened in shock, though the glimmer of triumph was hard for her to hide.

"Stella, are you serious?"

"Yes. We've broken up. It's over."

I repeated it, as if reminding myself as much as telling them.

Maurice's expression turned cold, his gaze sharp.

"Stella, don't act like a child."

I was caught off guard by his accusation, unsure what I had said that made him think I was being unreasonable.

Before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted from behind me.

"My apologies, Mr. Christy, but Stella already has plans."