The last day at the estate felt slower. Heavier.
Scarlett moved through the studio in focused silence. Her hands worked with precision—trimming, pinning, smoothing fabric over the mannequin like nothing else existed. Her fingers were steady, but her thoughts weren't.
Sadie glanced over from time to time. She didn't say anything, but the questions hung between them anyway. Scarlett didn't answer them. Not out loud. Not even in her head.
She kept busy instead.
Camille entered midmorning, full of bright energy and light perfume, dressed in wide-leg linen pants and a cream blouse, glowing like the client of a high-fashion dream.
She walked straight to the dress, her face lighting up. "You really brought it to life," she said.
Scarlett nodded. "It's not finished."
"But it's close," Camille said, giving her a small smile before tilting her head. "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You've been a little off," Camille said lightly, almost like a joke. "I figured it's the workload. You've been going nonstop."
"I just want to make sure it's perfect."
"You're doing amazing," Camille replied. "Just… don't forget to breathe."
Scarlett forced a soft smile. "I'm trying."
Camille stepped away toward Sadie, who was laying out accessory options on the long table. The two of them chatted quietly about color pairings and metallic finishes.
Scarlett moved toward the ironing board to finish pressing the hem. She had her head down when the studio door opened again.
Brian stepped inside.
He held a small bouquet of white garden roses tied with a soft blue ribbon. His walk was casual, one hand in his pocket.
"Hey babe," he said, tone relaxed. "Got you flowers."
He extended them toward Camille, but he wasn't looking at her.
He was looking at Scarlett.
Scarlett didn't lift her head, but she felt it—felt the burn of his eyes on her like heat through glass. She tightened her grip on the iron.
Camille took the bouquet with a soft laugh. "Aww, that's sweet," she said, raising them to her nose.
She looked up to smile at him, but something snagged in her chest.
He wasn't really looking at her. Not fully.
His body was turned toward her, sure. But his eyes had already drifted back toward Scarlett.
Camille blinked.
Just a glance. A flash. But it landed.
Her smile dipped for half a breath.
Then she recovered. "They're beautiful. Thanks, baby."
She set the flowers down on the table and turned back to her tablet.
It's nothing, she told herself. Their eyes just happened to meet. That's all.
Still, she didn't look back at either of them for a while.
By the afternoon, the dress was done.
The final ribbon tied at the back, the details stitched in place. The moment Scarlett stepped back from the mannequin, there was a quiet pride in her chest—somewhere beneath the tension and questions.
"It's stunning," Camille said. "Exactly what I wanted."
Sadie smiled. "It's going to turn heads."
Camille clapped her hands once. "That means the photoshoot can happen now."
Scarlett blinked. "I thought it was for Wednesday?"
Camille grinned. "That's for the press. But today's for us. A little private moment before the buzz begins."
She looked out toward the golden light spilling over the balcony. "Sunlight's perfect. Let's do it."
The shoot was simple and soft.
Camille moved like she was born in front of the camera. Scarlett adjusted the gown, tugging the folds into place, fixing the angle of the belt. Sadie captured everything—low angles, over-the-shoulder shots, even some candids when Camille laughed between takes.
For a moment, it almost felt like everything had gone back to normal.
Until it didn't.
Dinner that night was calm.
Camille set the table out on the patio—candles lit, wine poured, soft music drifting through the air from inside. Sadie cracked a joke that made Camille laugh so hard she nearly dropped her fork.
Scarlett smiled. Ate quietly. Sipped water.
Brian was across the table, saying little. But when he did speak, his voice cut through the noise like it always did—low, direct, centered.
Scarlett didn't look at him.
But she felt the heat of his glance.
And when she lifted her eyes for just a second, he was already watching her.
She looked away fast.
She didn't see if he smiled.
After the dishes were cleared, Camille stood and stretched.
"I need to run through press notes," she said, already halfway back inside. "Scar, can you do a final check on the accessories tomorrow morning? Just before we pack up?"
Scarlett nodded. "Of course."
Sadie yawned, standing too. "I'm crashing early."
They both disappeared inside.
Scarlett lingered.
She stayed out on the balcony, letting the cool air wash over her skin. Her chest felt tight. Like she'd been holding her breath all day. Maybe longer.
Here, alone, she could drop the act. Just for a minute.
She leaned her elbows on the railing and closed her eyes.
She didn't hear the footsteps until they were close.
When she turned, Brian was already there—silent, hands in his pockets, watching her.
She stiffened.
"I've seen you ignoring me," he said quietly.
Her jaw clenched. "I haven't."
"You have," he replied, calm. "I'm not blaming you. Just saying what it is."
She said nothing.
Brian stepped forward, closing the space between them—slowly. Deliberately. He didn't touch her, but he didn't stop either.
"Do I make you that uncomfortable?" he asked.
Scarlett stared straight ahead, gripping the edge of the railing.
"You tell me," she said finally.
Brian leaned in—not close enough to touch, but close enough for her to feel the weight of his breath.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
Scarlett's pulse pounded.
She lifted her eyes, and all she could see were his lips. Calm. Waiting.
"You're really going to stand here and say you don't feel this?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
She didn't know what to say. Didn't know what this was. Only that it made her feel exposed in ways she wasn't ready for.
And then—
"Hey, we're—oh."
Sadie's voice cracked the moment open like glass.
Scarlett jumped back.
Brian stepped away just as quickly.
Sadie stood in the doorway, holding a glass of water. Her gaze darted between the two of them. Her lips parted like she was about to say something, but nothing came out.
Scarlett found her voice first. "I was just—getting air."
Sadie nodded slowly. "Right."
She didn't ask questions. Didn't need to.
Her silence said enough.
Scarlett turned away from the railing and slipped past them both without another word.
And this time, she didn't look back.