Couture and Consequences

The next day, I discovered that the core design files for my Paris Fashion Design Competition entry had been completely deleted from my computer.

Even the recycling bin was wiped clean.

Those designs were everything I had been working on. They were the cornerstone of the independent brand I was planning to launch to finally get away from Alexander.

I called IT immediately.

The technician told me the files had been manually targeted and erased at eleven o'clock last night.

At eleven last night, I was already home. The only people still at the office were the night guard and... Victoria.

The security footage confirmed my suspicion. Not only had Victoria stayed late, but she had also been caught on camera sneaking into my temporary office.

When I threw the evidence in front of Alexander, his reaction sent my blood running cold.

"She probably just wanted to study your design process and deleted them by accident. Stop assuming the worst of her. She's new to this, she's just trying to learn. What's wrong with that?"

"By accident? Alexander, the recycling bin was wiped. You call that an accident?"

"Maybe... maybe she was just trying to help you clean up your computer. She meant well..."

Watching him scramble to defend her was agony. The man in front of me was a terrifying stranger.

"Fine. Let's say it was an accident. Why didn't she just tell me? Why hide it?"

"She just had that argument with you. She was probably scared you'd yell at her."

I took a deep breath, trying to force down the bitter taste in my throat.

"Alexander, I'm going to ask you one last time. If the company can only keep one of us, me or Victoria, who do you choose?"

He froze. He clearly hadn't expected this ultimatum.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice tired and annoyed.

"Why are you forcing me to make a choice like that? You're both important to me."

"Answer me!"

I could see the struggle in his eyes, but in the end, he gave the answer I already knew was coming.

"I'm not letting Victoria go. She's a young woman with incredible potential. Her bright career as a designer shouldn't be ruined over a few little misunderstandings."

His words were a poisoned dagger, and they went straight into my heart.

I finally understood.

In his mind, my five years of work and my talent were worth less than an assistant he'd known for a month. A liar.

"Fine. I understand."

I turned and left his office, each step strangely calm.

That night, I called my lawyer friend, Daniel.

"Daniel, I need you to draw up divorce papers for me."

There were five full seconds of silence on the other end.

"Evelyn, are you serious? I thought you and Alexander were the industry's perfect couple."

"Just get them ready. I want to see them in three days."

"Okay. But you need to think this through. There's the issue of the company shares between you two," he added.

"I know. I'm willing to give up all my shares in Alex Fashion, but I have one condition," I said coolly.

"What's the condition?" Daniel asked.

"I want back the copyrights to all of my fashion designs. All of them. Including every collection I've designed for the company over the last five years."

Daniel gasped.

"Evelyn, that's the only thing keeping Alex Fashion afloat! That's their ticket to go public!"

"They were always mine to begin with. I'm just taking back what belongs to me."

Over the next few days, I quietly started gathering all my evidence.

My design sketches, my inspiration notebooks, emails with suppliers, and even testimonials from old clients, all proving they chose to work with the brand because of my designs. Evelyn's designs.

At the same time, I was secretly contacting top pattern makers and marketing managers, getting ready for my own independent brand.

During this time, Victoria seemed to sense something was wrong and started bad-mouthing me to Alexander even more.

She told him I was slacking off at work, that I was verbally abusive to her, and that I was destroying the design team's morale.

And Alexander believed every word. He even called me in for a talk, his words dripping with disappointment.

"Evelyn, Victoria told me you haven't been very friendly to her lately. That's not good for team unity."

I sat across from him, looking calmly at this blind fool.

"What else did she say?"

"She said you're intentionally giving her a hard time, putting her down in front of the other designers. She says she can't even work properly anymore."

I laughed. This Victoria was a master at twisting the truth.

"And you believe her?"

Alexander avoided my eyes.

"I just want you two to get along. We're all working for the good of the brand, after all."

"Fine. I get it."

I stood up to leave, but Alexander stopped me.

"Evelyn, have you been upset with me lately?"

I looked back at him, feeling nothing but a desolate sadness.

"No. I'm fine."

"Good. I thought... I thought you were still angry at me."

I didn't say another word. I just walked out.

That afternoon, Daniel emailed me the divorce papers.

I read through them, word by word, and after confirming everything was correct, I decided tonight was the night. I would end this absurd farce.

When I got home, Alexander was in the kitchen making dinner. He seemed to be in a good mood.

"You're home early. I'm making your favorite steak. It's been a while since we've..."

"We need to talk," I interrupted.

He walked out of the kitchen with the steak on a plate, a relaxed smile still on his face.

"What's so serious?" he asked casually.

I took the file out of my briefcase and placed it on the expensive linen tablecloth.

When Alexander saw the words "Divorce Agreement," the silver platter in his hands crashed to the floor.

"...What is this?"

His voice was shaking. The color drained from his face.

"It means there's no reason for us to continue."

"Let's get a divorce."