Page 1 of Shattered Oath
1ISABELLE
I've always thoughtof myself as a practical person. A glass half-full type of person. Hand me a disaster and I'll find the opportunity hiding inside it. I turned a "little boutique" into a fashion empire, didn't I? Built something real from nothing but sketches and stubbornness and the absolute refusal to be underestimated.
For years, I'd been solid in that knowledge. Unshakeable.
Until a certain tall, dark, and handsome man walked into the room.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
The night wasn’t a total disaster when it started. In fact, it had been beautiful. I loved New York in the Spring–loved it in a way that made my chest ache. Cherry blossoms drifted past the windows like pink snow, petals catching in the warm breeze. It was a shame I never stayed long enough to actually appreciate it. Always rushing between airports, between cities, between the pieces of my life I’d scattered across three continents.
But I digress.
The night was supposed to be simple. Sebastian and Aria were celebrating the successful launch of their hotel, and I, his very impressive, very successful sister had graced the event withmy presence. I'd dressed myself in deep burgundy that shifted to wine in a certain light, bias-cut silk that moved like water when I walked, the fabric whispering against my skin with each step.
No jewelry except my mother's vintage Cartier earrings. The dress didn't need competition.
I'd designed it myself, actually. Sketched the first version on a flight from Milan, refined it over three espressos and a sleepless night, watched my seamstress bring it to life stitch by stitch. That was the thing people didn't understand about fashion. It was as much an obsession as art.
"Isabelle!"
I turned, champagne sloshing dangerously close to the rim of my glass. Clara Novak, a buyer from Bergdorf's, was waving me over. She stood near one of the tall cocktail tables, champagne in hand, wearing a Zimmermann dress I'd seen in their spring catalog.
"I was hoping you'd be here." She kissed both my cheeks, European style. "Your London show was exquisite. The cobalt collection? I've had clients calling nonstop."
A genuine smile tugged at my lips. It was always refreshing to hear people talk about my collection. "Tell them the waitlist is moving. Slowly, but moving."
"That's exactly what I tell them. It drives them crazy and they start demanding more.” Clara leaned in conspiratorially. “You know how to make them want it.”
I did. Scarcity was part of the art.
My eyes were already roaming the room, searching for familiar faces. Even though I hated to admit it, I absolutely adored my family. I missed them terribly. Even though life in London, and Milan, and Paris, and wherever fashion took me was thrilling, they never felt like home.
Home was wherever these chaotic people gathered.
“Thanks, Clara,” I said, already stepping away. I spotted my family at a large table at the center of the room. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
I grabbed a fresh glass of champagne from a passing tray and made my way through the crowd. My eldest brother, Sebastian and his girlfriend, Aria were standing a few feet from the stage, his arm around her waist, the two of them practically glowing with happiness. Aria was laughing at something he'd said, her head tipped back, completely unselfconscious, and completely his.
Something in my chest squeezed. Not jealousy, exactly. More like longing for something I couldn’t name.
I loved seeing Sebastian like this. My brother had spent so many years practically shoving his emotions away. Then, Aria appeared and turned my brother, the grinch, into someone almost tolerable.Almost. He was only half-pleasant when he was around Aria and his daughter, Evie, but I supposed that was progress.
"Auntie Belle!"
A small body collided with my legs, nearly sending me stumbling. Zoe, her flower-covered dress already sporting a mysterious stain near the hem, beamed up at me.
"Hi, sweet girl." I crouched down to her level, setting my champagne on a nearby table before she could knock it flying. "You look beautiful. Is that a new dress?"
"Mommy got it for me. It has pockets!" She demonstrated by shoving both hands into said pockets and pulling out a crumpled napkin, two olives, and what appeared to be a sugar packet. "I'm collecting things."
"I can see that." I bit back a laugh. “Quite the collection.”
"Zoe!" Kim appeared, looking slightly frazzled but smiling. "What did I say about taking things off the trays?"
"You said ask first."
"And did you ask?"
