LIORA’S POV:
The quiet hum of the studio surrounded me as I meticulously worked on my ring designs, the delicate lines and curves of the sketches beginning to take shape. I found peace in this, the rhythm of creation, the sense of control. It was one of the few things in my life that I felt truly belonged to me, especially after the mess my divorce had left behind.
Just as I was tracing the final edge of a design, my phone buzzed on the table next to me. I glanced at the screen, and a familiar name appeared: Nikolai. A smile tugged at my lips.
“Nikolai,” I whispered to myself as I answered. “Hey, bro,” I greeted, trying to suppress the warmth in my voice so he wouldn’t know how much I’d been missing him.
“Liora, how are you doing?” His voice had the same casual warmth it always had, but I could hear the underlying tension. He was probably stressed from work.