The café smelled like cinnamon and late mornings. Ellie sat by the window, a hand wrapped around her mug, watching the street blur past.
"Okay, no. I'm gonna say it," said the girl across from her. "Your sister's insane."
Ellie's lips twitched. "Good morning to you too, Kara."
Kara leaned back in her chair, letting her sunglasses rest in her hair. Her voice was as dramatic as ever. "I leave for one year, El. One. And while I'm gone, you're cheated on, un-engaged, and your sister's pregnant with your ex's child? What the hell is this, some tragic soap opera?"
"You forgot the part where the business was part of the deal," Ellie added dryly.
"Oh right." Kara's face twisted in mock horror. "Because that totally makes it better."
Despite everything, Ellie smiled. Kara had that effect.
Loud. Loyal. A little unfiltered. But always on her side.
"I'm serious though," Kara said, softening. "You didn't deserve any of that. I didn't like Jake. Or his creepy mom. Or that handshake-happy dad of his."
"I know."
Kara sighed. "What now? Are you gonna go off-grid and disappear into the woods? Or like… what's the plan?"
"I've already started looking for a space. Office, studio. Somewhere I can actually start building."
Kara blinked. "Wait, already?"
Ellie nodded. "I have a few people in mind. People I went to same school and university with. Solid talent."
Kara leaned forward, lower lip poked out. "And… what about me?"
"You?"
"Yes, me! Hello, best friend with amazing ideas and zero job stability?"
Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Last I remember, you couldn't keep a job for more than two weeks."
Kara grinned. "Exactly. I'm flexible. I adapt. I'm a free spirit with a LinkedIn profile that says 'open to everything.'"
Ellie laughed. "What exactly would you do?"
"Marketing. PR. Anything with social media. I have range."
Ellie tilted her head, thinking. Kara was kind of a people magnet. Loud online, unapologetic offline.
"You know what…" Ellie said slowly, "That doesn't sound terrible."
Kara gasped. "Is that a yes?"
"It's a trial."
"I'll take it."
---
Two weeks later
The office was nothing huge. Brick walls, high ceilings, a long table in the middle for meetings and ideas. Every room still smelled faintly of paint and ambition.
Ellie stood by the window, watching her small team finish up the day's tasks:
Mina, pattern-maker, precise and quiet
Jules, head of digital design, with bright socks and brighter opinions
Liam, logistics and supply chain, already two spreadsheets deep
Aanya, seamstress and assistant who somehow made coffee and magic at the same time
And of course, Kara, who barged into Ellie's office, ponytail bouncing, "Website's up. Socials are active. Do not check the captions, I made them dramatic."
Ellie didn't look up. "Did you also link the portfolio?"
"Yes. Relax. I'm not just a pretty face. I even posted a teaser video with dramatic background music."
Just then, the phone on her desk rang. The front desk line.
"Yes?" Ellie answered.
"Mr. Hale is here to see you."
She blinked. "Let him in."
Kara's eyebrows shot up. "Mr. Hale?"
"Please give us a moment," Ellie said, already standing.
Kara gave a playful salute and left, whispering, "Tall, dark, and investor. Got it."
The door opened, and Caden Hale stepped in, looking around slowly.
"This place looks… real," he said.
Ellie smiled faintly. "It is."
"You did all this in two weeks?"
She nodded. "I had help."
He studied her for a moment. "Efficient."
"Your support made that possible."
He gave a slight nod, like he didn't need the credit but acknowledged it anyway. "Mind showing me around?"
"Of course."
She led him through the rooms, introduced a few team members, let him observe quietly. He didn't say much, but he saw everything.
When they returned to her office, he gave a brief smile. "Good work."
"Thank you."
And then he left, just as smoothly as he came. But the second the elevator doors closed, another voice chimed behind her.
"Ellie?"
She turned.
Lily.
Her posture was soft, hands folded, voice feathery. Her eyes went wide like she was caught doing something innocent.
"Ellie," she repeated. "I told the front desk I was your sister. I hope that's okay."
"How did you know where to find me?" Ellie asked, cold and quiet.
"Dad mentioned your new place."
Ellie stepped back into her office. "What do you want?"
Lily lingered awkwardly near the door, then stepped inside.
"I came to say sorry," she said. "For everything. I… I don't expect forgiveness, but I just… I wanted you to know I regret how things happened."
Ellie said nothing.
Lily looked nervous. She continued anyway,
"I also told Mom and Dad I don't want my inheritance," Lily added. "I asked them to give it to you instead. It's the least I can do. I never cared about status or money. I just… I want peace."
Ellie raised an eyebrow. "Then why Jake?"
"I just don't want my child to grow up in a broken family," Lily said. "That's why I agreed to marry him. Not for power. Just… peace."
Ellie laughed.
A single, sharp, startled laugh. Lily flushed instantly.
"I needed that," Ellie said, still smiling. "Thanks."
Lily swallowed hard. "Anyway… I'm really happy for you. About this business. I always believed you'd do something great."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a white envelope. "This is for you. The wedding's in four weeks."
Ellie didn't move to take it.
After a pause, Lily cleared her throat and placed it on the coffee table. "I'd be happy if you came. But I'd understand if you didn't. You can bring a friend, if that makes it easier."
Lily gave one last smile and walked out.
Ellie stared at the envelope.
For a second, she just looked at it, pale, delicate, with gold trim.
Then she smiled. It didn't touch her eyes.
"I'll bring someone," she said softly.
And she'll wish I didn't.