Chapter 4

The air in Lumin was moist and crisp. It smelled like rain-soaked grass.

The apartment Madeline found for me sat right on the banks of River Tidehold. It was a classic old building.

I opened the window, and the river drifted by, with the huge outline of the Lumin Eye in the distance.

Everything here was worlds apart from the oppressive gloom of Silvergate.

No one knew me here. No one had any clue about my past. Here, I, Julia, was an ordinary jewelry designer, about to welcome a baby. That was all there was to it.

Early pregnancy was rough. I couldn't keep anything down and was dropping weight fast.

But after every wave of nausea, feeling that tiny heartbeat inside me made me feel strong again.

Madeline hooked me up with a sweet old Lumin doctor.

She patiently showed me how to tweak my meals and deal with the nausea. "Just relax, dear. Your baby is healthy and strong. It can feel your love."

I started learning to cook for myself, from simple salads to hearty stews.

The smell of home cooking slowly soothed the scars in my heart.

I wasn't that bitter woman anymore, waiting for a man to come home to a cold dinner.

I was a mom-to-be, making sure my baby got all the nutrients it needed.

By the second trimester, the morning sickness finally faded. My appetite returned, and I started eating again. My bump grew day by day.

I started sketching again.

In the cozy studio corner of my apartment, I rediscovered the passion I'd lost.

I wasn't designing for him anymore. I was designing for life, for nature, for everything beautiful in the world.

Inspiration poured out of me like a fountain.

All the talent I'd kept bottled up for three years finally burst forth.

I sketched starry skies, rivers, and the first rays of morning light.

Then I transformed them into necklaces, earrings, and brooches.

Every piece was brimming with life.

When Madeline saw my sketches, she was amazed. "Julia, you're a genius. These designs deserve to be seen."

She encouraged me to put my work out there on independent designer platforms.

I figured, why not? So I made an account. I called it JG Jewels.

I uploaded the collection I was most proud of: the Nelifwy Collection. The inspiration was my little one on the way.

I never expected the Nelifwy Collection to go viral on the platform.

The first batch sold out in a flat three minutes.

My inbox was instantly flooded with emails: media interview requests, boutique buyers reaching out, and even top jewelry brands offering collaborations.

I turned down every single interview.

All I wanted was to quietly focus on my work.

I started my own studio, with a small but talented team.

We focused on creating one-of-a-kind designs. Every piece was handmade and released in limited quantities.

JG Jewels started getting noticed in the local designer scene.

With its unique flair and vibrant designs, it won over a loyal following.

No one knew who was behind JG Jewels. All they knew was that the designer was mysterious and insanely talented.

After nine months, the day finally came.

I gave birth to a boy. I named him Noah Gonzales, as a reminder to myself never to forget the past that brought me this new beginning.

Noah looked like me, especially those eyes, bright and clear.

He was always smiling. When he smiled, his eyes curved into little crescents.

He was my little angel, the best gift heaven ever gave me.

With Noah around, my days were packed.

By day, I was busy drawing up new designs in the studio and bouncing ideas around with my team.

At night, I'd stay by Noah's side, telling him stories and singing lullabies.

I watched him grow up each day. He learned to roll over, to crawl, and then to walk.

And then, one day, he called out "Mommy" in his soft, milky voice.

My heart was filled to the brim.

I never thought about Edward again.

That man, and all the pain he brought, was locked away in the back of my mind.

My life had started a brand new chapter.

This chapter was filled with sunshine, flowers, and love. And by my side was this little guy, Noah.