Chapter 17 For the first time in what felt like forever , Evelyn woke up naturally , with no buzzing alarms , no icy air biting at her skin . She stared blankly at the ceiling , momentarily disoriented - until she remembered . This wasn't the icy , sterile room at the Caldwell estate . No 6 a.m. wake - up calls to prepare breakfast . No demanding mother - in - law waiting to be served . No Brandon Caldwell . Shaking her head slightly , she slipped out of bed barefoot and opened the window . A moist breeze carrying the scent of salt and sea rolled in . Downstairs , the woman running the breakfast stall was deep - frying dough sticks - the sizzle and warm , savory aroma drifted up to the apartment . " Perfect timing , " Claire poked her head out of the kitchen , holding two steaming cups of soy milk . " Fried dough's almost out of the pot . Go wash up before it gets cold . " Evelyn sat down at the small dining table , sipping the hot soy milk in small , careful gulps . " What's the plan for today ? " Claire asked , scrolling through her phone . " Feel like walking down to the beach ? " " I was thinking of checking out the fabric market , " Evelyn set her cup down . " My mom left me her wedding gown ... I want to try restoring it . " The fabric market sat hidden deep in the city's aging district , its alleys narrow and tangled like loose thread . Evelyn stood in the crowded aisle of the bus , watching unfamiliar buildings pass by through the window . Sunlight warmed her face through the glass . And for the first time in a long time - she felt it . Freedom . The market buzzed with voices and footsteps . Evelyn crouched in front of a little fabric shop , carefully picking through bolts of lace . The shop owner , a kindly old man with reading glasses , leaned in to help match colors . " This imported lace is a great fit for gown restoration , " he said , adjusting his specs . Evelyn's fingertips traced the delicate lace like a memory long buried - fragile , yet still intact . Then she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her . " Evelyn ! " She turned to see Ryan Hays dashing over , arms full of thick design books , nearly tripping over his own feet in excitement . She remembered him as the awkward kid always hiding behind his sister's legs - now he stood tall , Chapter 17 65.38 % confident , a softness still lingering in his gaze . He stopped , panting , in front of her . " I got the design materials you asked for - had a friend bring them in . " She took the books from him - fresh issues of International Bridal Design and several technical manuals . As she flipped through the elegant embroidery sketches , an idea began to form . " This is a lot ... probably expensive , " she said , looking up at him . " It's fine , " Ryan wiped sweat from his brow and gave her a shy smile . " My sister said you used to study design and even won awards . This is nothing . " On the ride back , Ryan drove them through narrow coastal roads . Evelyn suddenly realized - this boy who used to trail behind them as a kid had grown into a tall , broad - shouldered young man . After dinner , as Claire was doing the dishes , she called out , " Has my brother been coming over here every day ? " Evelyn was sorting through fabrics . She paused . " He just dropped off some materials . " " Oh please , " Claire smirked , flicking water off her fingers . " That kid's had a crush on you since middle school . Remember that summer you stayed with us ? He used to spy on you from the crack in the door . " The doorbell rang . Ryan stood outside with two cups of milk tea . " Saw they had a new flavor on the way here . " He caught sight of Claire's teasing smirk and turned bright red from the ears down . " Come in . " Evelyn took the milk tea from him , choosing not to respond to Claire's jab . Later that evening , Evelyn sat hunched over her makeshift workspace , the dim desk lamp casting soft shadows over the tattered wedding gown . She threaded the needle and began the delicate process of stitching . Halfway through , the needle slipped . A sharp sting . Blood beaded on her fingertip - and for a moment , she just sat there , motionless , watching it bloom . A droplet of blood welled up , and she stared at it in a daze . " Need a hand ? " Ryan's voice came from the doorway . He held out a bandage , looking awkward but sincere . " I'm fine , " she said , not looking up . Chapter 17 SHE IS LIVE NOW ON tango He quietly placed the bandage on the table , but said nothing more . Evelyn tied off the final thread and snipped it clean . The torn seam along the gown's waist had been fully mended . " All done ? " Claire poked her head in . " Yeah . " Evelyn hung the dress back on the rack and took a sip of tea . " Easier than I thought . A few spots still don't match perfectly with the original thread color , though . " Claire leaned in for a closer look . " No one'll notice . You could sell this in a boutique . " " I'm not selling it . " Evelyn shook her head . " It was my mom's . " Claire didn't press . She simply patted Evelyn's shoulder . " What do you want for dinner ? Ryan picked up a fish earlier said he's making pickled fish stew . " " He cooks ? " Evelyn raised a brow . " Pretends to , " Claire rolled her eyes . " Watched the tutorial three times , still didn't clean the scales properly . You'd better check the kitchen before he sets it on fire . " Evelyn chuckled and followed her downstairs . In the kitchen , Ryan was wrestling with the slippery fish , trying to hold it still as the knife clattered loudly against the chopping board . When he saw them walk in , he looked up . " Almost done ! Just give me five more minutes ! " " You're butchering that poor fish into pulp , " Claire scoffed, waving a jagged chunk of ginger like a judge's gavel . " Even a dog would turn its nose up at that mess . " Ryan protested , " It's my first time ! Gotta practice , right ? " Evelyn rolled up her sleeves with a sigh . " Move aside before you burn down the kitchen . " Ryan quickly stepped aside , but hovered close - passing her seasonings , grabbing dishes , occasionally asking , " Is that enough salt ? " " Should we turn the heat down ? " Soon , the smell of pickled fish stew filled the entire kitchen . Claire leaned against the doorframe and suddenly said , " Oh - almost forgot . Brandon Caldwell showed up yesterday . " Evelyn's hand paused for a fraction of a second , but she kept moving , tossing scallions into the pot . " What did he want ? " Chapter 17 65.38 % " He asked where you were , " Claire scoffed . " I told him I didn't know , and he wouldn't believe me . 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