Chapter 44 Aunt Jade’s Offer
Claudia had truly wounded her aunt’s heart.
The guilt weighed heavy, crushing her chest. At last, the tears she had been holding back spilled freely. She knelt by Jade’s side, hands folded on her aunt’s lap as she had done when she was a child, and lowered her head against her legs. Her voice shook with reverence and remorse.
“Please don’t say that. It’s all my fault–I was foolish. But you’ll live a long, long life. I’ll never leave you again. I’ll stay by your side forever.”
Her words broke with sobs, tears falling like rain, soaking through Jade’s clothes.
tos she stroked Claudia’s hair,
“Alright, alright,” Jade murmured, her voice eyes red with emotion. “Don’t ever make me this sad again.”
She added, “I knew from the first moment Alan was cold and ruthless, not fit for marriage. But you were so stubborn back then, and by the time I found out, it was too late. Now that you’ve seen clearly, then leave him. Don’t grieve too much— there are plenty of worthy men out there. I’ll help you find someone myself if I have to.”
Claudia nuzzled her aunt’s palm like a child. “I’m not sad,” she whispered. And in that warmth, she almost believed it.
“And what about my great–grandnephew, Andy?” Jade finally asked. “When you divorce, what will happen to him?”
Though she hadn’t been home much in recent years, Jade knew Claudia had given birth not long after marrying. Seven years had passed, but she’d never once held the boy. Still, she had seen pictures–he was a beautiful child. Of course she thought of him,
Now that Claudia was divorcing, the matter of custody loomed.
Claudia’s chest tightened.
She could tell her aunt about Alan’s affair–Jade had always disliked him. That was
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Chapter 44 Aunt Jade’s Offer
easy. But Andy’s rejection, his open preference for Summer… how could she say that?
How could she admit that the child she’d nearly died giving birth to wanted another woman to be his mother? That she might surrender custody?
Her aunt might not survive the shock. Their bond had only just begun to mend.
“Andy…” Claudia hesitated, then carefully replied, “That can wait. Alan and I haven’t even settled the property division yet.”
Jade knew the world of high society well–marriages, divorces, assets. Custody was always tangled in the mess. She let it go for now, but insisted Claudia bring Andy to see her soon.
Claudia forced a smile. “Alright.”
Jade turned back to the portfolio on the desk, her sharp tone softening.
nese
“I’ve looked through your work past years. Not bad. You haven’t lost your touch–your craft and spark are still there. That much I’m satisfied with.”
Claudia’s eyes brightened. Praise from Jade was no small thing. As one of the world’s top haute couture designers, her words carried real weight. And she never flattered.
Jade continued, “Your private studio has gotten on its feet, and that’s fine for a start. Keep it, but don’t take any more major commissions for the next few months. Once you resign, come straight to Splendid.”
Claudia froze.
“My hands trained yours,” Jade went on. “Your talent is rare. What you lack is recognition. And recognition—international exposure–can be arranged. I’ll open those doors.”
rectly, to put Claudia knew what Splendid meant. One of the world’s thirteen premier haute couture houses. Her aunt was offering to bring her in her on the
stage. With that backing, she could skip the endless grind, step international straight into the spotlight, maybe even rise to fame in one leap.
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Chapter 44 Aunt Jade’s Offer
From there, she could build her own luxury brand, carve her name into the fashion world.
It was everything she had dreamed of.
But…
Claudia hesitated.
Yes, she’d handled commissions worth millions. Lane had gained some recognition in elite circles. But without global exposure, she was still far from the international stage.
She had never stood on such a vast platform before.
Wasn’t this too fast?
tar–Cloaked Return
