The car pulled up in front of one of the most luxurious fashion houses in the city.
The glass doors gleamed, and the staff outside bowed politely the moment they saw who had arrived.
Elena's mouth fell open slightly as she stepped in.
The boutique looked more like a palace than a store—crystal chandeliers sparkled from the ceilings, and mannequins in glass cases wore dresses that probably cost more than her entire life savings.
"Welcome to Elysian Couture," a hostess greeted with a warm smile, bowing.
Elena swallowed hard, clutching her purse. This isn't shopping… this is robbery in high heels.
Beside her, Tatiana linked arms with her cheerfully.
"Don't look like a lost kitten, Elena. This is our playground today. And with Damian's card? The whole world is ours."
Elena gave her a sharp look. "Tia, we're just buying a few things. We're not—"
But Tatiana was already whispering to the manager. Within minutes, Tables of shoes, racks of gowns, cases of jewelry—everything was wheeled in front of them like they were queens.
"Tia!" Elena hissed. "This is insane. You can't spend Damian's money like this!"
Tatiana waved her off, already twirling in front of a mirror with a sequined dress.
"Relax, babe. He won't even notice. This is what his card was made for."
Despite herself, Elena couldn't help but be swept up in it all. The silks, the sparkling jewelry, the intoxicating scent of expensive leather—it was everything she had only ever seen in glossy magazines.
She tried on a flowing gown, the soft fabric brushing against her skin, and for the first time in years she allowed herself to smile. So this is what luxury feels like.
Tatiana walked to a different row.
Distracted by a tray of diamond earrings, Elena stepped back and accidentally collided with someone.
"Oh! I'm so sorry—"
"Are you blind?" a sharp voice snapped. "Do you know how much this dress costs?"
Elena's head jerked up. A tall, elegant woman with perfectly styled auburn hair stood before her, glaring.
She wore a fitted red designer dress, her makeup flawless, her lips twisted into a sneer.
"I said I was sorry," Elena repeated calmly.
The woman scoffed, her voice dripping venom. "Sorry doesn't fix stupidity. You peasants think you can just waltz into a boutique—"
"Miss Isabel Romanov," the store manager cut in quickly, rushing over. "Please, there's no need to speak that way to Miss Cruz."
Isabel's eyes widened briefly, then narrowed even more"
The manager paled. "Miss Romanov, I must ask you not to disrespect her."
"Disrespect?" Isabel's voice rose, echoing across the boutique. "I'll show you disrespect.
I'll buy every single thing she touched today. Every dress, every shoe, every bag. She won't leave here with a single thread!"
Elena stiffened, ready to respond, but Tatiana's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"No, Isabel." Tatiana stepped forward, her arms crossed, her eyes glittering with mischief. "We'll buy everything you touched.
And then we'll buy you, just for fun." Besides you look so cheap so we won't spend much" Elena uttered.
Tatiana blinked, startled, then let out a soft chuckle despite the situation.
Isabel's head snapped toward Elena. For the first time, the ice queen faltered.
" You— piece of s**t, how dare you speak to me that way?"
"How do you even know this fool Tatiana"? Isabel asked angrily.
Immediately, the manager bowed and confirmed, "Miss Tatiana had already reserved the entire collection for she and Miss Cruz.
Everything has been billed to their account."
Isabel's jaw dropped. "What?!"
Two uniformed security guards approached at the manager's signal.
"Miss Isabel," one of them said firmly. "You need to leave."
Isabel flailed, her face red with fury as they took her by the arms.
"How dare you touch me! I am Isabel Romanov! You'll regret this—"
Her voice echoed through the boutique as she was dragged out, still screaming.
The glass doors closed behind her, and silence fell again.
Elena exhaled slowly, still processing what she said to Isabel.
Tatiana smirked and turned to her. "Well… that was entertaining."
Elena shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're insane, Tia."
"Were my words really mean?" Elena asked her.
"mean? No, babe." Tatiana looped her arm through Elena's again, already leading her toward another rack of dresses. "Just fabulous."
The boutique had finally quieted after Isabel's tantrum. Still, a few people from outside hadn't missed the opportunity—cameras recording, hungry for drama in the city's most exclusive boutique.
Elena and Tatiana sat on a velvet chaise in the corner, sipping champagne the staff had brought them to ease the mood. Elena was still wide-eyed from the scene.
"Don't tell me…" she said slowly, her voice almost disbelieving, "that was Isabel."
"She is," Tatiana answered breezily, inspecting her nails as if the confrontation had been nothing but a show.
"My cousin actually fell in love with her once," she added, rolling her eyes with mock pity.
Elena blinked, then let out a laugh she didn't expect.
"Did I just call the mighty Damian Volkov's lover cheap?"
They both burst out chuckling, the sound drawing curious glances from the staff.
For the first time since being trapped in Damian's world, Elena felt like she was laughing with someone her age, like a normal girl.
Tatiana looped her arm through Elena's.
"Forget her. Come on, let's make this adventure worth it and besides it's his ex lover, it's been years, I'm sure Damian's over her already."