I took a deep breath, forced myself to hold back the tears and ran out of the ballroom without looking back. Behind me, Ethan''s voice echoed, desperate and heart-wrenching. "Evelyn! Don''t go! Please, give me a chance!" The cold wind whipped through my hair. Tears froze on my cheeks, only to be swept away mercilessly by the gusts.


    I had no idea how far I had run or where I had ended up. I just plunged into the endless darkness of the night. "Miss, are you alright?" A concerned voice called from behind.


    I looked up to see a well-dressed middle-aged man, his face full of worry.


    "I''m fine..." I forced a weak smile. "I''m just a little tired."


    "It''ste, and it''s not safe to be out here alone," the man said gently. "How about I give you a ride home?"


    I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Maybe it was the sincerity in his eyes, or maybe I was simply too exhausted to run any longer.


    "Thank you...?"


    "Dalton, Richard Dalton," he said with a smile. I teach at the Mndo Academy of Art, and I''m a friend of Mr. Fernandez."


    Was it Stefano Fernandez he was talking about?


    "You know Mr. Fernandez?" I asked, surprised.


    "Of course." Richard nodded. "He''s a close friend of mine. Every time hees to Mndo, he stops by to catch up."


    Wasn''t fate strange?


    At my lowest point, I was somehow finding a path to my dreams.


    "Mr. Dalton, do I get the opportunity to meet Mr. Fernandez?" I asked cautiously.


    Richard looked me over, then smiled knowingly. "You must be the rising star, Evelyn Wiley?"


    I widened my eyes. "You know me?"


    "Who doesn''t?" Richard chuckled.


    "The waves you''ve made in the fashion world have even reached the artmunity. I think Stefano would be thrilled to meet you?"


    en


    "Then I''ll leave it to you, Mr. Dalton!" I said.


    He grinned broadly. "Don''t mention it. I''m sure you''re feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Why don''t we head back to the hotel first? You can rest, and I''ll take you to see him tomorrow. How does that sound?"


    "Sounds perfect!" I nodded eagerly.


    The night passed in a blur. I tossed and turned in bed, my mind racing with excitement over the chance to meet my idol.


    There was a time when I thought I''d never have a ce in the fashion world. And now, I was about to meet a legend face-to-face!


    I owed it all to...


    Ethan.


    Just the thought of his name made my heart ache. If it weren''t for his letting go, I wouldn''t be where I am today.


    But how do I deal with his reappearance in my life?


    At dawn, Richard showed up as promised. "Are you ready?" he asked with a smile.


    I nodded. "I''m ready."


    Richard led me to the car, and we drove out to the outskirts of Mndo. The whole time, I was a bundle of nerves, my palms slick with sweat.


    Richard seemed to sense my


    anxiety. "Don''t worry. Stefano is very down-to-earth. He loves meeting talented, passionate young people. You''re exactly the kind of person


    he''s drawn to."


    I gave him a grateful look.


    The car turned into a lush, green forest area and finally came to a stop in front of an elegant vi.