Chapter 138 Forever Written
The mid-afternoon light inside the Dumbo warehouse gallery was soft and serene, casting beautiful long shadows across the polished concrete floors.
Teresa stood in front of her latest abstract canvas, a blending brush in her hand, her thoughts drifting comfortably between the vibrant colors on the linen and the upcoming international exhibition.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated against the wooden work cart. She swiped the screen, a brilliant smile instantly lighting up her face as Clara’s name filled the display.
"Clara!" Teresa cried out happily, pressing the device to her ear. "I have been staring at The London Times cover all morning! You looked absolutely breathtaking on that sofa, sister."
"Thank you, Teresa," Clara’s warm voice sounded over the international line, a rich, unmistakable happiness vibrating through her words.
"It was easily the most nerve-wracking presentation of my entire career, but Dominic stood firmly as my anchor. The public has completely dropped the gold-digger narrative. The city is finally at peace with our home."
"I am so incredibly happy for your soul, Clara," Teresa whispered, a tear of pure joy escaping her lashes. "You and Dominic have survived a literal trial by fire this month. You deserve every single ounce of the peace you are holding today."
"We are finally building a real life together," Clara murmured softly. "The contract has completely dissolved beneath our feet, Teresa. I am so deeply in love with him it completely rewrites my system."
"I understand that exact magic intimately," Teresa smiled beautifully, her eyes drifting to the gold band shining proudly on her finger.
"Carlos and I tore up our own paperwork last week. There are no more business clauses or installment plans left between us, Clara. Our marriage is entirely, passionately real."
"Celina reached across the distance to my line after your gallery opening," Clara noted gently, her voice full of sisterly care.
"She informed me that she witnessed the fire between you and Carlos. She knows your love is unassailable, Teresa. She is standing firmly in your corner, even if the boardroom war turns brutal tomorrow."
Teresa felt a massive, suffocating weight permanently lift from her chest at her sister's words. "Hearing that data clears the final shadow from my studio, Clara. If Celina trusts my heart, I possess the strength to survive any corporate storm Carlos has to fight."
"The Masons are prepared to launch an all-out war at the assembly next month," Clara warned softly.
"Dominic just concluded a strategic brief. Ensure your husband protects his borders, Teresa. Justin is deploying every weapon he owns, and Dominic’s alliance is completely locked with Justin’s throne, not Carlos’s."
Teresa’s jaw set with that new corporate lioness pride she had found at Carlos's side, her eyes narrowing as she calculated the parameters.
"Let them launch their counter-attack. Carlos is fighting for his father's rightful place, and I will stand firmly at his shoulder until his hand is on the wheel. We are an absolute fortress under this roof, Clara. We face the front lines together."
"I know your iron loyalty," Clara laughed softly over the ocean. "Give Carlos our absolute support, sister. We will talk the moment the assembly votes are recorded."
"Always, Clara. Give Jasmine a massive hug from her Auntie Teresa. I love you."
"I love you too, Teresa. Always."
Teresa terminated the line, a radiant, unshakeable peace completely blanketing her studio.
The shadow of guilt was dead, her lifelong friendship with Celina was safe, and her masterpiece gallery was set to conquer the city.
She was no longer a drowning artist trading her hand for a check; she was a sovereign woman fiercely guarding the home she had built with the man she loved.