Chapter 43
Corine
The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the studio, pouring in like gold dust and settling across the polished marble floors. I stood before the vanity, lips painted in a shade I'd spent six months perfecting-a deep mauve with subtle rose undertones. I named it "Resilience."
It was the heart of Luxe Beauty's latest launch.
Brittany walked in, phone in hand, already recording behind-the-scenes snippets for our campaign. She wore a blazer dress in pearl white, her dark curls pulled into a high ponytail, and her energy-bold, unwavering-filled the space like always.
"Turn a little to the left, Corinne," she said, angling her phone as I faced the ring light. "The light's catching your cheekbone like a goddess. People are gonna lose it."
I gave a tired smile, adjusting my posture. "Let's hope they lose it enough to buy."
"They will," she said confidently. "It's Luxe. It's you. And this shade? It's everything."
I inhaled slowly, trying to calm the flutter in my chest. The last few months had been a whirlwind-healing, motherhood, rebuilding the brand I once nearly walked away from. Now here I was, launching a new lipstick with my best friend at my side and a photographer asking me to tilt my chin just a little more.
"Okay," I murmured to myself. "We've got this."
Brittany noticed the slight tremble in my hands and lowered the phone. "You good?"
"I'm just..." I paused. "It's a big day. I didn't think I'd be back here. Not this soon."
She squeezed my shoulder. "And yet here you are. Like the badass you are."
The shoot kicked into full swing after that. We had flatlays of the product, close-ups of the lipstick bullet itself, model shots of Brittany and me laughing, holding each other, posing in mirrored reflection. Jasper arrived halfway through, holding a bouquet of deep pink roses and two coffees.
He wasn't dressed like the others-no glam, no pretense. Just a black tee, dark jeans, and the same soft smile he always wore when he looked at me.
"You're late," I teased, walking over to him between shots.
"Traffic," he said with a grin, offering me one of the coffees. "Also, I had to bribe the barista to get the last of the vanilla cold foam. Apparently it's a hot commodity."
I laughed softly and took the drink. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to," he replied. "You're working your ass off. I figured you could use something sweet."
I stared at him for a beat longer than I should've, the words catching in my throat. Jasper had this quiet way of seeing me-of knowing when I needed stillness in the chaos.
He held out the flowers next. "Also... for the queen of Luxe."
I blinked back sudden emotion. "Jasper..."
He scratched the back of his neck, then leaned a little closer. "I wanted to ask... after this whole launch thing... do you want to go out with me? Like an actual date. Not coffees and kid drop-offs and pretending we're just 'friends.'"
My heart thudded.
"I-" I paused, lips parting. "Yeah. I'd like that."
He smiled then-wide, boyish, relieved. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Brittany caught us mid-conversation, turning her phone camera on. "Okay, lovebirds, let's pretend we're working here."
I laughed, cheeks flushing, but Jasper only slipped beside me and threw an arm around my shoulder. "She said yes," he told Brittany.
Brittany cheered, spinning toward the lipstick display. "That's it, we're putting out a press release. Love and Luxe: a double launch."
I rolled my eyes. "You're the worst."
"I'm your social media manager," she said smugly. "You gave me power. I'm using it."
The laughter settled something in my chest. I felt lighter-until the door opened again.
Allen.
He walked in like he had every right to be there. And maybe, in some twisted way, he did. He was still a shareholder. Still Astrid and Kyle's father. Still the man who shattered me and watched me piece myself back together without lifting a hand.
He nodded toward the camera crew, then caught my eyes.
"Didn't mean to interrupt," he said, voice smooth. "Your assistant let me in."
Brittany's smile dropped. Jasper's grip around my shoulder remained.
"I figured I'd bring the kids by," Allen continued. "Thought they might want to see their mom being a boss."
I looked down-and there they were.
Astrid ran to me instantly. "Mommy!"
I knelt, catching her in my arms, pressing kisses into her hair. "Hey, baby. You look so pretty."
Kyle followed with a grin. "Can we see the lipstick stuff?"
"Of course," I said gently, ushering them to the small product corner.
Allen trailed behind them, standing too close. Watching.
"So... this is where the magic happens," he said to Jasper, as if they were old friends.
Jasper gave a tight smile. "Sure is."
Allen bent down beside Astrid, helping her open a tester cap. "This one's pretty. Like you, princess."
I looked away.
Jasper didn't.
I felt the shift in the air when Allen lingered near me again, brushing a hand on Astrid's back, staying close even when he didn't need to.
"You really pulled it off," he said to me. "Corinne... I mean it. This brand-this whole thing-it's incredible."
"Thanks," I replied, voice flat.
"I remember when you first dreamed this up," he added. "In our first apartment. You were so excited you didn't sleep for two nights."
I turned to face him. "And then you watched it fall apart."
He had the nerve to look hurt.
Jasper noticed. He stayed silent, but he stepped in, handing Astrid a tiny Luxe Beauty tote bag. "You want to help your mommy hand these out to the models?"
She nodded excitedly, and I smiled at him-genuinely.
Allen's eyes narrowed.
"She really likes him," he said under his breath.
"She likes people who make her feel safe," I replied. "And loved."
The day went on, but Allen stayed. Watching. Lingering. Finding excuses to circle near me, to comment on lipstick colors, to remind me of shared memories that no longer felt sweet.
And through it all, Jasper remained steady-present. He didn't challenge Allen openly. He didn't need to.
He simply made sure that my attention returned to him.
When the cameras stopped flashing and the last models left, I leaned back against the wall, exhausted.
Jasper approached, holding a bottle of water.
"You did it," he said.
"So did you."
He leaned closer, brushing a hair from my cheek. "Ignore him. He's just a ghost."
"I know," I whispered. "But ghosts have a way of showing up when you least expect them."
"Then I'll be the light," he murmured.
And in that moment, I believed him.
The ache in my chest softened, just enough.
Enough to hope.
Enough to want.