The front door swung open with a dramatic thud.
"Alicia!" Alice yelled, dropping her backpack right in the middle of the grand hallway. "You are not going to believe the day I've had!"
Alicia looked up from the gold and amethyst stone she'd been inspecting under a magnifying lamp in the living room. She grinned. "Don't tell me Liliana started barking in tongues and floated out of class."
"Even better," Alice said, plopping down beside her sister-in-law. "She got publicly exposed in front of the entire senior block."
Alicia leaned forward, interested now. "Go on."
"Apparently Rachel's mom stormed into the principal's office this morning," Alice began, animated. "She had a breakdown. She couldn't live with the guilt after she confessed to us. Told everyone Liliana paid her daughter to lie. The edited video, the rumors all Liliana.
Alicia's brows lifted. "Scandalous."
She was dragged out of class and suspended on the spot," Alice said, crossing her legs victoriously. "Students were filming. Liliana's mascara was halfway down her face. It was beautiful. Kira even did a victory hair flip."
"I love this story," Alicia chuckled. "Justice tastes sweet." Alice leaned her head on Alicia's shoulder. "Thanks for going with me to Rachel's house. If you hadn't… I don't think we'd be sitting here laughing."
Alicia smiled softly, then hesitated.
What is it?" Alice asked, sensing a shift.
I want to do something," Alicia said slowly. "Something for me. I've been thinking about it for a while." Alice sat up straighter. "What is it?"
Alicia stood and walked over to the table. She picked up her sketchpad and turned it around, revealing rough designs of chokers, gemstone bangles, earrings with intricate gold filigree. "I want to design jewelry." Alice blinked. "Wait, you drew these?"
Alicia nodded. "I always loved art. But I want to go beyond drawing. I want to create. I want to tell stories with pieces luxury, but meaningful. I know it's not what everyone expects, but…"
"But it's you," Alice said, eyes lighting up. "It's perfect." Just then, the echo of heels striking the marble floor approached like a thunderstorm.
Lisa.
She walked in wearing a blood-red silk robe, hair perfectly coiled, lips dangerously still.
"What's perfect?" Lisa asked sharply, her eyes moving between the two girls like a snake sizing up prey.
Alice opened her mouth, but Alicia stepped in. "I want to start a jewelry line," she said calmly. Lisa laughed. Not giggled laughed, loud and venomous. "You? You want to design jewelry?"
"Yes," Alicia said, refusing to flinch.
Darling, this isn't one of your charity slum projects. You can't just wave a sketchpad and become Cartier overnight."
"I'm not trying to become Cartier," Alicia said coolly. "I'm trying to become me."
Lisa's smile dropped. "Leo told me he would support your dreams. Not indulge your little hobbies."
Alice stood up. "Excuse me?"
"Hush, child," Lisa snapped, before turning back to Alicia. "You married into the Dark Hart name. Your only focus should be on not embarrassing it. Not chasing pipe dreams like some broke fashion student."
"Enough," Alicia said, voice calm but powerful. "This 'pipe dream' is real to me. And Leo supports it."Lisa folded her arms. "And what happens when you fail? You run to my son for more money? I will not allow it."
"Lisa, I'm not asking for your permission," Alicia said with a soft smile. "Just your silence." Before Lisa could explode further, the front door opened again this time, Leo stepped in, jacket slung over his shoulder.
"What's going on here?" he asked, sensing the tension. "Your wife," Lisa hissed, "thinks she can start a business. Jewelry, of all things. As if being your wife wasn't enough."
Leo raised a brow, walked over, and kissed Alicia's cheek. "I think it's a brilliant idea."
Lisa's jaw dropped. In fact," Leo added, "I'll have Code set up a meeting with my contacts in design manufacturing. You'll need a team."
Alicia turned to him, touched. "Thank you."
Leo looked into her eyes. "I meant what I said. Whatever you want to do I've got you."
Lisa turned on her heel and stormed off.
Alice burst out laughing the second she was out of sight. "That's going in my memoir."
Leo looked at Alicia again, softer this time. "You're really doing this?"
I am," she nodded.