I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and checked the time. It was only 7:00 am.

"You done with your little errand?" I asked, pushing myself up from the couch. I looked around at all the furniture I'd yet to have time to set up properly.

Simon was taken aback for a second before he exploded on the other end of the line. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Didn't you go to a hotel with Angela?"

"I-I just dropped her off! That's all!"

I yawned, then couldn't help laughing as I teased him. "Oh? So after you dropped her off at the hotel, what did you two do? Play Uno? Oh, but that's only fun with three people. I'm guessing you guys just fell right into bed?"

Simon took a deep breath. "You can be mad, but there's got to be a limit, right? It's fine if you want to throw a fit, but why did you move every bed out of the apartment?"

I chuckled. "I bought them."

"What about the curtains?"

"I bought those, too."

He ground out, "The couch and the rug?"

"I paid for those as well. Want me to send you the receipts?"

"Fine. Everything you bought, you can take. I won't argue. But why did you go as far as to unscrew the smart lock from the front door?"

I glanced at the smart lock lying in the trash and burst out laughing. "Simon, I took everything that belongs to me. I'll email you the divorce papers later. If you don't have any objections, let's just have a clean break and be done with this."

With that, I hung up and blocked his number. I remembered to block him on WhatsApp, too.

…

Once I had settled everything at my apartment, I received a call from Ethan Rivers. He said the last fashion show had been a huge success and he hoped I would attend the celebration party.

I knew what he was really doing—this was his way of extending an olive branch. He hoped I would take the lead on designing the next season's major original IP fashion collection.

I'd spent three whole years carefully developing the drafts for the collection. I hadn't expected him to be the first to get wind of it, though.

Soon after, Ethan sent over a custom 2025 spring haute couture gown; the sincerity behind it practically radiated from the box.

"The dress is tailored to your measurements. I'll be waiting for you there. All the big-name fashion investors want to meet our mysterious star designer. Just come and do me this favor, okay?"

I held the invitation, my gaze drifting down to the guest list printed on it. Simon's and Angela's names stood out in bold print.

But what really caught my eye was…

"Why is Hugo Sadler on this list?" I asked.

"That's exactly why I need you to come," Ethan replied. "I have no idea why a supermodel like him suddenly insisted on attending my celebration party.

"But according to his agent, he wants to collaborate with me on the next fashion show. The designs for that next show have to be yours, Ava!"

"But I still haven't decided who I want to partner with on this collection," I said.

"Leave that part to me," Ethan said confidently. " I'll push both the runway show and the campaign visuals at the same time."

His voice grew more animated as he continued, "I've mapped it all out. Since you've decided to get a divorce, it's time to go public with who you really are.

"With your status as a top designer, plus the boost from Hugo, this season is guaranteed to blow up and wipe out the competition!"