Chapter 16

• The studio was already in motion when I stepped inside. The morning light outside was pale, almost silver, diffused through low clouds that clung to the skyline like breath on glass. Within these walls, the space pulsed with quiet movement. Simone was adjusting fabric on a mannequin near the sample rack. Marcus sat cross-legged at the far table, scrolling through boutique reports, confirming shipment statuses with meticulous rhythm. The air carried the scent of muslin, fresh paper, and lavender oil. It grounded me, as it always had.
• I stood at the threshold for a moment, letting it settle around me. The motion. The work. The unspoken current that carried us forward each day. It felt different this morning. Not calmer. Not louder. Just more certain.
• Julian stepped from the hallway holding a tablet and a sealed envelope. He said nothing as he handed it to me. I broke the seal slowly. Inside were printed summaries from our pilot distribution partner, compiled and annotated, already formatted for the archive. The feedback was consistent. Demand was growing. Returns were negligible. The numbers aligned with something deeper than metrics. They confirmed presence.