Chapter 14 - THE LIFE SHE BUILT HERSELF
One year later, Evelyn opened her own interior design studio in Boston.
Hart & Harbor Design.
The office occupied the second floor of a renovated brick building near the waterfront.
Large windows overlooked the street.
Fabric samples covered one wall.
Architectural drawings filled another.
And a small brass plaque beside the entrance carried her name.
Evelyn Hart.
Founder.
Creative Director.
She stood in the doorway on opening morning.
Vanessa arrived carrying flowers.
Lily brought pastries.
Nathan carried a box of champagne glasses.
Vincent arrived last.
He wore a dark suit and carried a small wrapped package.
Evelyn smiled.
“You're late.”
He laughed.
“Three minutes.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Unacceptable.”
He handed her the package.
Inside was a framed copy of her first independent design proposal.
The one she'd created before marrying Grant.
Evelyn stared.
“How did you find this?”
Vincent smiled.
“Vanessa helped.”
Evelyn's eyes filled.
He continued.
“You had a dream long before you met me.”
She looked up.
“And I wanted you to remember that it was always yours.”
She began crying.
Then laughed.
“You're going to ruin my makeup.”
Vincent smiled.
“Occupational hazard.”
May you like
She kissed him.
And for the first time, Evelyn realized she had built something no one could take away simply by telling her she wasn't capable.
