Chapter 266
Rebecca’s POV
Lucas seemed to consider this, his little face scrunched in concentration. Then he nodded, apparently satisfied with my explanation.
“Okay,” he said simply, then reached up to place his small hand on my cheek. “Mama sad?” he asked, his perceptiveness catching me off guard as he noticed the tears that had gathered in my eyes.
“No, baby,” I said, leaning into his touch. “These are happy tears. Sometimes grown-ups cry when they’re happy too.”
“That’s silly,” Lucas declared with the confidence of a child.
I laughed softly. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
From the doorway came a soft chuckle, and I looked up to see Dominic leaning against the frame, watching us with warm eyes. How long he’d been there, I wasn’t sure, but from the tender expression on his face, I guessed he’d heard most of our conversation.
“Time for sleep, young wolf,” Dominic said, pushing off from the doorframe and approaching the bed.
Lucas yawned, his earlier concerns apparently forgotten as sleepiness overtook him. “Goodnight, Mama,” he said, leaning up for a kiss. “Goodnight, Ella,” he added, placing a gentle pat on his sister’s head.
“Goodnight, my sweet boy,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Sleep well.”
I stood carefully, mindful of Ella in my arms, and moved to the crib we’d recently placed in the nursery. Laying her down gently, I tucked the soft blanket around her and whispered, “And goodnight to you too, my little Luna.”
The following morning, I stood before the full-length mirror in our bedroom, critically assessing my appearance. I’d chosen my outfit with care-a tailored charcoal blazer over a silk blouse in a soft shade of sage that complemented my eyes, paired with slim-fitting black pants and ankle boots with a modest heel. Professional but with enough personal style to suit a design student.
Dominic appeared behind me, Ella cradled against his chest in a carrier. “You look perfect,” he said, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
“Not too formal? Not too casual?” I fretted, smoothing a hand over my blazer.
“Just right,” he assured me. He turned as Lucas ran into the room, already dressed for preschool in jeans and a small button-down shirt that matched Dominic’s.
“Mama pretty,” Lucas declared, coming to stand beside his father.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” I said, kneeling to his level. “Are you ready for preschool today?”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Miss Laura says we’re painting today!”
“That sounds wonderful,” I said, straightening his collar. “You’ll have to show me your painting when I pick you up this afternoon.”
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Chapter 266
Marianne appeared in the doorway, elegant as always in a simple navy dress. “There’s my beautiful granddaughter,’ she said, crossing to Dominic and peering at Ella in het carrier. “And my handsome grandson,” she added, smiling at Lucas.
“Grandma!” Larcas exclaimed, running to hug her legs. “Mama’s going to clothes school today!’
“I know,” Marianne said, returning his hug. “Isn’t that exciting? And you and I are going to have a wonderful time with Ella while she’s
gone.
I stood, checking my watch. “I should go,” I said, my stomach suddenly tight with nerves. ‘I don’t want to be late on my first day.”
Dominic nodded, moving to the dresser to pick up the keys to my car. “Everything’s loaded in the Audi,” he said, handing me the keys. “Your supplies, your portfolio, everything you’ll need.”
I moved to Dominic, carefully lifting Ella from her carrier to press one last kiss to her forehead. “Mama will be back soon, little one,’ I whispered against her soft skin. She slept on, unperturbed.
Placing her back in the carrier, I turned to Lucas, who was watching me with curious eyes. I knelt again, bringing myself to his height. “Mama will see you this afternoon,” I said, cupping his small face in my hands. “Be good for Miss Laura and Grandma, okay?”
“I will,” he promised solemnly. “I’ll take care of Ella too.”
My heart squeezed at his words. “I know you will, my little protector.”
Finally, I turned to Dominic, who pulled me into a tight embrace. “Go conquer the design world,” he murmured in my ear. “We’ll be here when you return.”
With one last look at my family–Dominic standing tall and steady, Ella sleeping peacefully in her carrier, Lucas waving enthusiastically, and Marianne smiling with encouragement-I squared my shoulders and walked out the door.
As I drove away from Sterling Manor, I watched in the rearview mirror as they grew smaller: my husband, my children, my home. A lump formed in my throat, part sadness at leaving them, part excitement for what lay ahead.
For the first time in years, I was driving toward something that was solely mine-not as Luna, not as a mother, but as Rebecca. Just Rebecca, with dreams of her own.
Standing before the imposing entrance of City Arts Academy, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. The building hadn’t changed since the last time I’d been here nearly three years ago. But I had changed, profoundly.
Students streamed past me, most of them at least a decade younger than my twenty-eight years. They moved with the confident energy of youth, laughing and calling to each other, their arms laden with portfolios, laptops, and coffee cups. For a moment, I felt painfully out of place, like an interloper in their youthful domain.
“That jacket is Armani, isn’t it?” a voice said beside me. “Last season’s line, but the tailoring is impeccable.”
I turned to find a young woman with purple-streaked hair eyeing my blazer appreciatively.
“Good eye,” I said, smiling despite my nervousness. “It was a gift from my husband.”
“He has excellent taste,” she said, then extended her hand. “I’m Zoe. Fashion merchandising, second year.”
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“Rebecca,” I replied, shaking her hand. “Fashion design, first day.”
“Newcomer, huh? Zoe’s eyes traveled over me assessingly. “You don’t look like a typical first-year student.”
“I’m not, I admitted. “I’m a returning student. It’s been… a while.”
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Zoe nodded as if this explained everything. “Well, welcome back. Professor Jones is the new department head-she’s brilliant but tough.”
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for the information and the friendly face.
With a small wave, Zoe melted back into the stream of students, leaving me to climb the steps alone. As I pushed through the heavy doors into the main hall, the familiar scent of art supplies, coffee, and old books enveloped me. Despite my anxiety, I felt a surge of excitement. I was really doing this.
Following the signs to the design department, I found myself in a bright, airy office space where a receptionist directed me to Professor Jones’s office. I knocked lightly on the open door.
“Come in,” called a crisp voice.
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