The hum of the Manhattan streets outside the tall glass windows of Daisy's condo was a soft lull behind her as she finished tying the delicate scarf around her hair. The apartment, nestled in a high-end residential block Leo had arranged for her, was spacious, modern, and frankly intimidating. She didn't belong here. Not really. But she'd gotten used to pretending.
She took a breath. Her plan today was simple—visit Alicia, distract herself from the mess growing between her and Jeffery, and maybe… maybe find something to call her own again.
The elevator ride to the Hart mansion was smooth. When Alicia opened the door, dressed in soft pastel homewear, barefoot and glowing with that effortless poise she always carried, Daisy offered a small smile.
"Alicia," she said, stepping inside.
"You're early," Alicia teased. "Didn't expect you until noon."Can't sleep in when the walls feel like they're watching you," Daisy muttered.Alicia tilted her head. "Jeff again?"
Daisy sat at the edge of the couch and rubbed her forehead. "His mother's been around. Watching me like I'm some kind of ticking bomb about to explode under her precious son."
"She still doesn't want you with him," Alicia said softly.Daisy's silence was answer enough."Well, today's not for sadness," Alicia said briskly, standing and gesturing for Daisy to follow her to the inner studio.
Inside was a neat room wall panels with sample materials, a sleek table with sketches, and jewelry tools carefully organized on polished counters.
"This…" Daisy blinked. "This is new."
"It's my dream," Alicia said. "And I'm finally doing it. Designing and making jewelry. High-end, custom, nothing factory-made. Just pure art."
Daisy turned to her, surprised. "Since when?"
"Since forever. I just never had the freedom to dream." Alicia's voice was calm but steady, with a weight Daisy hadn't expected. "But Leo said he'd support anything I wanted. And for once, I believe him."
Daisy gave a small smile. "So why did you want me here?"Alicia stepped closer, took a deep breath, and said, "I want you to be my partner."
"What?"
"You have taste, Daisy. You have style. You survived hell and came back stronger. I need someone who can help me build something bold. Something real. I don't want to just be Leo's wife—I want to be me. And I want you beside me."
Daisy blinked, stunned. Her heart swelled a little. "You mean it? "I do."
The soft murmur of conversation in Lisa's lounge quieted slightly as Kim Riverson walked in, her heels clicking against the marble. She was elegance personified tailored ivory trousers, gold chain draped around her neck, and lips painted in a muted wine shade. Lisa greeted her with a brief, fake-cheery hug.
"I didn't expect you this early," Lisa said.
"Well," Kim replied, "New York traffic is only terrible if you're not important enough to skip it."Lisa laughed too loud at that.Just then, Daisy and Alicia entered the room.
Kim," Lisa began, turning toward her guest, "this is Alicia, and her friend… Daisy."
Kim's eyes landed on Daisy, and for a fraction of a second, her expression shifted curiosity flickering beneath the surface.
"Nice to meet you," Daisy said politely.
Kim extended a manicured hand. "Likewise."
Their hands touched briefly. Something in Kim's gaze lingered, studying Daisy's face—not with familiarity, but with a nagging déjà vu.
"You look… familiar," Kim said softly.
"I get that a lot," Daisy replied, with a small awkward smile.Lisa immediately stepped in, laughing. "She's just got one of those faces."
But Kim didn't look convinced. Her brows furrowed slightly as she continued to observe Daisy like she was searching through old memories, chasing shadows. The moment passed quickly as Alicia offered everyone something to drink, and conversation resumed. Still, Kim's eyes kept returning to Daisy, thoughtful… intrigued.