EMBERS OF RESISTANCE

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Just as in Scovia, I lost so much that my life no longer made any sense. Yet Darcy stood by me, just as she had when I lost both my parents. She

Montia would mean a new beginning. But even here, fate had other plans, leading me to fall for the wrong man, someone who could never truly love me back. People say there's light after darkness, and just as Darcy and I were

nce I moved in with my

beams flood every inch of the carefully curated space. A lush green wall ador

ch before me, its sharp lines and elegant curves bringing a small smile to my lips. From my desk, I take in the panoramic view of the city glimmering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and

he industry. The office, which used to be empty, now buzzes with life, filled with my incredible team who are tirelessly perfecting every detail for the upcoming show. I can't help but feel a tinge

startups, filling the office with the vibrant hu

tless sleepless nights and unyielding determination. I built this compa

when a gentle knoc

Darcy's voice i

ook up to know it was h

" I teased, a smile

ou into a heart attack," she replied with mock serio

ling my eyes but unable to

gh it all-the late nights, t

her gaze. "Shreya," she begins, her tone turni

ks, and I'd looked forward to it, but work had other plans. My phone buzzes constantly with urgent messages, reminding me of the mission

ut I want the Wynters, my family, to rise to that level of untouchable power. I've poured myself into the business

ke a choice. I could either let my friends down and focus on work, or I could find a way to balance

, Darcy's voice pierced through the ai

er tone playful but lace

for you. CEO or not, you're Miss Workaholic, and I swear, if there wer

ns countless times, always choosing work over life. My friends

ilt creeping in. "I'm sor

I've watched you bury yourself in work for five years. You used to be r

em back, not wanting to show weakness. But Darcy's words had struck a nerve. I ha

she cut me off, her voi

hard; you're working to forget. You're working to e

d compassion, and I realized that Darcy knows me better than anyone-she doesn't just see me

ed out, the words spilling

rk myself to the bone. Until I join the trillionaire elite club, and

I relived the pain of my past. I saw flashes of Kaiden in my mind but I de

was sharp but fil

a," she said, her v

one out, even your grandparents. You're so focused on your pain that you

ve you babes, it was not your

still have grandparents, my friends, my team, and my future. I've

spered, the truth hitting

he past for so long. But

is radiant a

that's thriving, and friends who care. Don't throw it all away for rev

a sense of peace wash over me. Maybe forgiveness wasn't fo

," I said, my voice

ds!" She said jokingly

re right" I teased

. I forgive them. An

diant, and she flung

's get out of here. We have

my chair. I swapped my work clothes for a sleek black outfit-a sta

Fashion House should look like!" s

a mother who has 5 knives stabbed at her back while she is protecting her child from harm. I got that piece from Italy on one of my trips with Darcy 4 years ago. The piece was very si

st behind. As we hailed a cab and headed to our favorite lounge, the tension in my body began to dissipate. Laughter spilled f

ting atmosphere of the club. The music thrummed through the air, the beat sy

spended animation, frozen in time by my pain. But now, with Darc

reate a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in years. I took a deep b

id, my voice bare

r helping me to see that there's mor

I'll always be here for you. And I'll always help you to remember that

Gomez, soon-to-be Mrs. Gilbert. She was one of our clients, and I had the pleasure of de

aves down her back, framing her face, which always seemed to carry a gentle, confident smile. She wore a vibrant emerald green dress that

ne Bliss, another fr

sted jeans that gave her an effortlessly chic look. Her curly auburn hair was tied up in a loose bun, with a few tendrils escaping, giving her a carefree charm. Da

she had managed to snag the heart of Wilson Gilbert, a wealthy and powerful man w

sence is respected throughout the city. Sheryll was a vision of beauty, exuding class and sophistication. Her talkat

two months away. Daphne, at 24, was right between Sheryll and us and often joked about being the perfect "middle child" of our group. As we chatted and la

tches. Sheryll's calm wisdom and occasional teasing brought a balance to the lively energy, while Darcy's quick wit kept the conversation flowing. For the first time in years, I felt alive- truly al

eld me captive. I was free. And for the first time in a long time, I was ready to live again. I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me. I knew that I still had a long way to go and that the r