Liam strode through the doors of Ella's Innovations, looking like a completely different person after his two-month vacation. His usual tired expression was replaced with a relaxed smile, his steps light, and his face sun-kissed from his time away. It was clear to everyone that he'd returned not just refreshed but transformed. His absence had been deeply felt, but now, the shop seemed to buzz with renewed energy at his arrival.
The moment he stepped inside, a chorus of cheers and laughter erupted from the employees. "Look who decided to come back!" one of the workers joked, while another playfully elbowed him. "We thought you'd run off for good!"
Liam grinned, shaking hands and hugging a few of the team. "Not a chance," he said. "I've just been waiting for the perfect moment to make a grand entrance." He leaned against the counter, casually sharing stories of his time away—quiet beaches, fresh air, and, most of all, the bliss of not thinking about work for once.
As the friendly chatter continued, his gaze shifted to Ella. She stood by the register, smiling warmly at him, but there was a heaviness about her. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and despite her efforts to seem upbeat, Liam could tell that she hadn't rested once since he'd been gone.
"Ella, you look... exhausted," he said, his teasing tone softened by concern. "Don't tell me you've been working non-stop since I left?"
Ella waved a hand dismissively, though the tiredness in her eyes was undeniable. "I've had things to do," she replied, offering him a half-smile. "Someone had to keep the place running while you were off lounging on a beach."
Liam chuckled but didn't let it slide. "Ella, seriously. You can't keep going like this. Even I took a break, and you know how hard that was for me. You need to slow down."
She sighed, brushing his concern aside. "There's too much happening, Liam. The shop's expanding, and with the new clothing line, I don't have time to slow down."
But Liam wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "You can't run yourself into the ground, Ella. If I can survive two months off, you can manage a few days."
The playful scolding was light, but his point was clear. Ella chuckled softly, though her heart wasn't fully in it. "Maybe," she muttered, but in truth, the thought of taking even a moment for herself felt impossible. There was always more to do, more to plan. The weight of the business pressed on her shoulders, and she couldn't just let go.
As the day wore on, Liam mingled with the rest of the staff, catching up and sharing stories from his vacation. Between the lighthearted banter, though, something more serious became clear—everyone had noticed how much Ella was pushing herself. The shop's growth was exciting, but it had come at a cost, and Ella was shouldering all the pressure. Liam could see it, but now, talking to the others, he realized just how deep their concern ran.
"Have you seen how she barely takes a moment to breathe?" one of the seamstresses whispered, glancing toward the front of the shop where Ella was busy helping customers. "She's here before any of us and stays long after we leave."
"She's even started skipping meals," another added, shaking her head. "It's like she thinks she can't slow down for a second."
Liam frowned, his earlier light mood shifting. Ella had always been driven, but this was different. She was wearing herself thin, and it was clear to everyone but her.
"We've all tried telling her to take a break," one of the shop assistants said with a sigh. "But you know Ella. She brushes it off, says she's fine."
Liam crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "She won't listen if just one person says it. But maybe, if we all come together..."
The employees perked up at his suggestion, exchanging glances. "You think it would work?" one of them asked.
"It's worth a shot," Liam replied. "If we all push a little, she might finally get the message. She cares about this place, but she needs to take care of herself, too."
During their break, Liam gathered the team around and laid out a plan. They would approach Ella as a united front, each gently encouraging her to take some time for herself. The hope was that if the entire team showed their support, Ella might realize she didn't have to carry the weight of the shop alone.
"She's always looking out for us," Liam said, glancing toward Ella, who was busy discussing fabric orders with a client. "Now it's our turn to look out for her."
The employees nodded in agreement, determined to get Ella to rest—even if it took a little teamwork to make it happen.
Later that evening, after the shop had quieted down, Liam found Ella sitting at her desk, surrounded by papers and sketches. The flickering light from a nearby candle cast shadows across her face, but even in the dimness, he could see the exhaustion etched into her features. Her hair, usually pulled neatly back, had a few loose strands framing her face, a telltale sign of how long the day had been.
"Still at it, I see," Liam said, leaning casually against the doorframe. His tone was light, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes.
Ella looked up from her designs, offering a small smile. "There's always more to do," she replied, her voice tinged with weariness. "The dresses, the deliveries—it's non-stop these days. But that's good, right? Business is booming."
Liam stepped closer, glancing over the sketches she was working on. "You've accomplished so much, Ella," he said genuinely. "I mean, look at this place. The shop's never been busier, and your designs are spreading like wildfire." He paused, watching her expression carefully. "But... even I needed a break, and you know how much I hate sitting still."
Ella chuckled softly, waving a hand dismissively. "You were overdue for that vacation. Besides, I've got too much on my plate right now to take time off. The new clothing line, the expansion, the nobles' demands... it never ends."
Liam leaned in, his voice gentle but firm. "Ella, you can't keep this up forever. You're running yourself ragged. Trust me, you can't pour from an empty cup."
She looked at him, her smile fading slightly. "I'm fine, Liam," she insisted, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "There's just too much to do. If I stop now, everything could fall apart."
Liam shook his head, pulling up a chair beside her. "No one's saying to stop," he said softly, "just slow down. Take a breather. We're all here to help, you know. The team's got your back. You don't have to do everything on your own."
Ella sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to push away the exhaustion creeping in. "I appreciate it, really. But I don't have the luxury of resting. Not when things are finally starting to take off."
Liam frowned, sensing her stubbornness but refusing to back down. "You've built something amazing, Ella. And it'll keep running even if you step back for a little while. I know it feels like you have to be everywhere at once, but that's what your team is for. We can handle it."
For a moment, she stayed quiet, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of one of the sketches. "Maybe," she said after a long pause, her voice quieter now. "But I'm not sure I know how to stop. There's always another idea, another project."
Liam smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Then let me help you figure it out. One day off. That's all I'm asking for. I bet the world won't fall apart in twenty-four hours."
Ella raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in a tired smile. "One day off, huh?"
"One day," Liam repeated with a grin. "And if the world does fall apart, I'll personally take the blame."
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Fine. One day. But only because you won't stop nagging."
Liam gave a playful salute. "Happy to nag if it means you'll actually rest." He stood up, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You deserve it, Ella. More than you realize."
As Liam left her to her designs, Ella leaned back in her chair, a rare moment of silence filling the room. Maybe Liam was right. Just one day off wouldn't hurt... or would it?
As the evening settled in, Ella felt the weight of the day's events pressing down on her. She sighed, deciding to take a walk through the village to clear her mind. The streets were mostly empty, save for a few late-night wanderers and the occasional flicker of light from a window. The cool breeze brushed against her skin, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, she allowed herself to breathe deeply.
Her thoughts, however, were anything but calm. Liam's words replayed in her mind. Maybe I do need a break... just a day. She shook her head, unsure. It wasn't like her to step away, to leave things unfinished. But still, the thought lingered.
Lost in her musings, she found herself wandering further than she intended, her feet taking her down quieter, narrower streets. The village had a different feel at night—still charming but with a sense of solitude that made it easy to get lost in thought. She turned down a narrow alley, the dim lamplight barely illuminating her path.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, stopping Ella in her tracks. Her breath hitched as she instinctively stepped back, her heart racing. The figure, cloaked in a dark hood, moved with an eerie calm, stepping into the weak light. A pair of sharp, piercing eyes locked onto hers.
"You're not from here, are you?" The voice was low, almost a whisper, but it cut through the quiet night like a knife.
Ella blinked, confusion mixing with fear. "Excuse me?" she managed, her voice shakier than she intended.
The stranger tilted her head slightly, studying Ella with an unnerving intensity. "I know what you are. You don't belong to this world."
A chill ran down Ella's spine. She tried to step around the woman, but the alley was too narrow, and the figure didn't budge. "I think you've mistaken me for someone else," Ella replied, attempting to sound firm but failing to hide the tremble in her voice.
The woman smirked, her eyes gleaming. "No mistake. Your inventions, your ideas... they're too advanced for someone born in this realm. You're different. And I know why."
Ella's blood turned cold. How could this woman know anything about her? She had been so careful, blending her modern knowledge into this world in ways that wouldn't raise suspicion. She stared at the stranger, her mind racing. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The woman didn't answer, only stepping closer. "Let's just say... I've been watching you. And soon, others will too."
Ella's heart pounded in her chest, her pulse loud in her ears. How does she know? Her thoughts spiraled. She had kept her origins secret for so long, not even telling Liam the full truth. But now, someone had figured it out.
The stranger took a step back, her hood obscuring her face once more. "Be careful, Ella. The truth has a way of unraveling, no matter how tightly you try to hold it together." With that cryptic warning, she melted back into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.
Ella stood frozen in place, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The night, which had felt so peaceful moments ago, now seemed to press in on her, dark and foreboding. She leaned against the cold brick wall, her mind reeling.
How does she know?
-----
A/n-
Hi everyone!
I know I mentioned taking the rest of the week to stockpile chapters for Patreon, but after giving it some thought, I decided against it. I realized that writing a bunch of chapters in advance and releasing them earlier on another platform only ends up confusing me. Plus, I don't want money to become my main motivation for posting—I genuinely love writing this novel!
When this story is finished, the most I might do is sell it on Amazon or something, but I'll never lock any chapters of this or future novels behind a paywall. I want everyone to enjoy my work without barriers.
To Kei_Hofer: I'll be creating an Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok account soon to share updates and future chapters. Thank you all for your patience and support—it means the world to me!
Sorry for the long wait, and I can't wait to share more with you soon. 💕