Chapter 3
I took the bolt of Heaven's Teal silk and went back to the shopkeeper.
The moment he saw the color, his eyes went wide.
He ran his fingers over the smooth fabric, muttering to himself, "This is amazing... absolutely amazing..."
We came to an agreement.
I'd provide the expertise, he'd supply the shop and manpower, and we'd split the profits seventy-thirty—my cut being the bigger one.
He agreed without hesitation.
He was a shrewd businessman and instantly recognized the value of Heaven's Teal.
As soon as Heaven's Teal was released, it set off a frenzy among the high society ladies of Southbank.
Orders flooded in one after another.
I soon earned my first pot of gold.
But I didn't stop there.
I kept launching new shades—Blush Snow, Moonlit Violet, and Dusky Mountain, among others.
Each one became a hit.
My Aurora Fabrics, which started as a tiny shop, soon spread its wings and opened branches all over Southbank.
I was no longer that Sapphire Chasey who had to depend on others just to get by.
I had become Ms. Chasey—the name on everyone's lips in Southbank.
Seven months later, on a crisp autumn afternoon, I welcomed a baby boy into the world.
He was healthy, and his cries rang out loud and clear.
He had the exact same eyes as Andy—brown and impossibly deep.
As I held him close, my heart was a jumble of emotions.
I named him Mallory Chasey.
I wished for him to be as bright and free as the stars above, never to live under anyone's shadow.
Time flew by.
Mallory grew steadily, and he was much smarter than other kids his age.
He started talking at one, could read by two, and by three, he was already reciting long stretches of classic poetry.
Even as a toddler, he always had the air of a little adult—calm and quiet beyond his years.
But when he was with me, he always showed that innocent, childlike smile.
He'd wrap his little arms around my neck and call me "Mama" in that sweet, tender voice.
He even saved half of his favorite cake for me, carefully making sure I got my share.
With Mallory in my life, the hurt and bitterness Andy left behind gradually faded away.
I devoted myself to raising Mallory and building up Aurora Fabrics.
Five years slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Aurora Fabrics had grown into the biggest fabric house in all of Southbank, and my wealth made me the undisputed richest person in the region.
Mallory was five years old.
He'd already finished reading all the ancient classics and was even starting to dive into chess and military tactics on his own.
His tutor was so impressed by Mallory's brilliance that he called him a born genius.
Watching my son—angelic, sharp, and so steady for his age—I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and contentment.
These past five years have been the most steady and abundant of my life.
I had nearly forgotten Andy and everything about the Capital.
But then, a gilded invitation from the Capital shattered my peaceful life.
It was for the Merchant Summit.
The King was about to host a grand Merchant Summit in the Capital, inviting the greatest merchants from across the land to join the festivities.
Of course, as Southbank's wealthiest, my invitation was guaranteed.
My hand trembled as I held the invitation.
The Capital.
The place I'd been running from for five years.
The place Andy still called home.
Instinctively, I just wanted to say no.
But Mallory popped his little head out from behind me, his gaze drawn to the pattern on the invitation.
"Mama, are we really going to the Capital?" he asked.
His eyes were bright and full of curiosity.
"I heard the Capital is where the King lives, with the tallest city walls and the liveliest markets," Mallory said.
Looking at his eager face, my heart softened.
For five years, I never once left Southbank with him, just to avoid Andy.
Maybe it was time I took him out to see the world.
Besides, I wasn't that penniless orphan from five years ago anymore.
I had money, power, and Mallory, my most precious treasure.
What was there for me to be afraid of?
I took a deep breath and clenched the invitation in my hand.
Capital, I'm back.