Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele
Heart 72

Chapter 72 Chapter 72

[Cordelia]

Clark didn't stop by to visit the next morning. Nor did he come by the morning after that. It seems that he was so upset by the way things happened between us that he needed more time and space than a single evening to work things out.

While I'm fine giving him space, I'm also worried about him. I've tried texting, but he hasn't returned any of my messages. This isn't like Clark. He's usually so attentive and responsive.

I sent a message to Atlas, asking him to look in on his little brother. He wrote me back later that evening letting me know that Clark had gone on a little trip to "clear his head."

T

I guess my words hurt him more deeply than I intended

Wanting to make sure he still feels loved and appreciated, I left a card taped to his door. I included the ultrasound he had forgotten and a note of apology letting him know that I still want hirm in this baby's life and my life as well. I might not be in love with him, but I will always love him.

Tilly has more than filled in any gap that might have been felt by Clark's disappearance. She is in love with little Jasper already and has taken her role as Godmother seriously. Convinced very strongly that you cannot spoil a child with love," she has already begun filling she has designated as the nursery with every possible item the little guy might need for the first 5 years.of life.

She even hired a professional interior designer to "stage" his room, using the latest studies out of Stanford about the best colors to use for future creative geniuses.

When I tried to convince her that it was too much, she laughed at me and kissed my forehead as she sang, "Not possible!" while dancing around the room humming to herself.

At this point, I have given up on trying to convince her otherwise. She can be the auntie he never had.

I guess I should be glad that someone is thinking ahead towards the future. All I can think about these days is how I'm going to save my company for my son. Because the best thing I can do, as his mother, is give him the possibility of a future through financial stability. So many other things about our lives are uncertain. I want him to at least be able to depend on me.

Which means I need to replace a way to stand on my own two feet. Without Atlas or Clark or anyone

holding me up.

Thankfully, I didn't lose quite EVERYTHING in the fire.

else

All of the patterns were scanned in and backed up in the cloud for when I needed to create custom sizing. Thanks to Clark and his extensive video coverage, I also have detailed images of each garment, in addition to the photos from the official lookbook. I may be starting almost back to the beginning, but if I can get new fabric and machines, I won't be starting at zero and I may be able to pull it off after all.

When I started this business, Tilly encouraged me to purchase insurance "just in case." I thought she was being dramatic, but she assured me that things happen all the time in the Fashion Industry, things beyond

our control.

+25 BONUS

Chapter 72

"You don't want a storm in Taipei to destroy your business when you can't make deadlines," was her logic.

My logic wa

was "If I'm too broke to afford rent on the building, I won't have enough left to design anything that needs to be shipped from Talpell"

So I compromised. I got insurance, but I didn't go for the full coverage, just the extreme emergency version. House fires should be covered by that.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Greyson," the annoying Insurance agent wheezed through the phone. "But because the police were inconclusive about whether or not it was an accident or arson, our firm is going to err on the side of arson. Arson nulls our contract. Now if you would like to upgrade your insurance to our premium tier, we can give you at least 50% return on your next 'accident."

"Are you accusing me of burning my collection?" I grumbled into the phone, holding onto the side of my belly as I felt a little kick. "Why would I do that?" I argued.

"Who knows," he snapped back. "Maybe your collection got bad reviews. Maybe you knew you couldn't get it done in time. You aren't the first designer to torch their line and try to get a kickback."

And then he hung up on me.

Grabbing my new laptop, a present from Clark, I begin searching for the names of every bank in LA that gives small business loans.

"You think you got the best of me,' I shake my fist at the universe. "Ha-! Think again."

Tilly looks in from the next room. "Cordy, are you okay?

"Not yet," I sigh. "But I will be."

I'll show that insurance agent. I'll show Clark and Atlas.

I can do this.

I will do this.

VictoryAnne Vice Author