A New Dawn

The morning after the grand showcase of The Unforgotten collection, Seraphina Vale woke up to the soft golden hues of sunlight spilling into her apartment. The exhaustion from the event still clung to her body, but the buzzing phone on her nightstand pulled her from her daze. She reached for it lazily, her mind barely registering the number flashing across the screen.

"Hello?" Her voice was husky with sleep.

A polished voice responded, laced with excitement. "Miss Vale, this is Eleanor Crawford from Maison Élise. We were absolutely captivated by your collection and would love to feature it in our stores. Your designs embody raw emotion, and we believe they belong in the hands of fashion lovers worldwide."

Seraphina sat up abruptly, her fingers tightening around the phone. Maison Élise was one of the most prestigious luxury fashion stores in Elverton, a brand that carried the work of only the most esteemed designers.

"I would be honored," she responded, barely masking the tremor of excitement in her voice.

From that moment on, her phone didn't stop ringing. Offers poured in from all corners of the fashion industry. She was no longer just Seraphina Vale, the daughter of a fashion mogul. She was Seraphina Vale, the designer whose debut collection had shaken the industry.

Later that afternoon, she sat in her atelier, a small but well-lit space she had curated to be her sanctuary. She rubbed her growing belly absentmindedly, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"It seems like that night was a blessing in disguise," she murmured. "If it hadn't happened, I wouldn't have been brave enough to spread my wings."

Her hand lingered on her stomach, feeling the subtle kicks beneath her palm. Her children—because yes, she knew now she was carrying twins—had become her driving force. They were the ones who pushed her to dream bigger, to break free from the shadow of her mother's legacy and carve her own name in the world of fashion.

A Collection Born from Love

As her due date approached, Seraphina found herself working tirelessly on a new collection, one deeply personal and unlike anything she had created before. She named it New Hope, a dedication to the lives growing inside her.

This collection was special—it wasn't meant for runways or grand fashion shows. It was a collection of children's clothing, delicate and intricately designed for newborns up to a year old. She wanted every piece to carry warmth, love, and the promise of a bright future.

Each design told a story:

The Celestial Swaddle: A soft, cotton wrap embroidered with tiny constellations, inspired by the nights she spent staring at the stars, wondering about the future of her unborn children.The Angel's Whisper Gown: A flowing white christening dress with the finest lace, representing purity and new beginnings.The Monarch Set: Tiny onesies and booties adorned with butterfly motifs, symbolizing transformation and growth.The Velvet Haven Blanket: A luxurious knitted blanket in deep midnight blue, reminding her of the comfort she wished to give her babies every single night.

She chose not to launch the collection through a runway. Instead, she arranged for an advertisement that featured heartfelt moments between parents and their newborns, capturing the beauty of unconditional love. The campaign struck a chord worldwide, and within a week, New Hope sold out entirely. Parents clamored for restocks, and her name became synonymous with elegance and comfort in children's fashion.

The world was witnessing the rise of Seraphina Vale, not just as a designer but as a visionary.

Unseen Connections

Across the city, in a quiet detective's office, Lucian Drax leaned back in his chair, staring at his laptop screen. He had just come across an article about Seraphina Vale, her success dominating headlines. The accompanying photo showed her standing in front of her boutique, glowing with quiet confidence.

He smiled. He was happy for her.

Yet, something inside him twisted painfully. He still thought about the nameless woman from that night—the one who haunted his dreams, the one who left him with an unshakable guilt and a lingering ache.

He was torn between two women.

One he had adored from afar for years. The other he had shared an intimate night with, a night that left him questioning everything he thought he knew about himself.

Little did he know, fate had already woven their stories together in ways he could not yet comprehend.

And soon, the truth would unravel, changing everything forever.