THREE YEARS LATER
The dim glow of the desk lamp flickered against the sketches scattered across Seraphina Vale's glass-top desk. The delicate curves of inked fabric designs stretched across the pages, ideas half-formed, waiting for her to breathe life into them. Yet, her mind was somewhere else. Somewhere darker.
Suddenly her phone buzzed, slicing through the silence. She looked up at the clock hanging on the wall and saw it was past evening already. She didn't realize the time.
She sighed and reached for it, barely glancing at the screen.
"Yes?" Her tone was cold and distant. That's what she has become now.
After that incident three years ago.
"Miss Vale, I have incredible news!" Olivia's voice was breathless with excitement. Olivia, her secretary and also a good friend that she met when she was on the verge of losing herself. She is also her part-time nanny and Seraphina couldn't be more grateful.
"What is it?" Seraphina asked, not interested at all.
