Chapter 56

• Eloise
• The soft glow of dawn pooled into my atelier, pale gold flooding across polished floors and illuminating sketches pinned on every wall. My fingers trembled as I adjusted the clasp on one of the velvet display busts, fastening a brushed silver collar necklace into place. Each link gleamed, elegant and cold, reflecting the emptiness I felt within.
• Today was launch day. My rebranding day. A quiet, private unveiling of my new line under my reimagined name – Eloise V. Designs. It was like a testing name, not sure I will be using it. No more reminders of Lucian’s empire smothering my own identity.