I moved like a lonely ghost, haunting the pavement in solitude.

Eventually, when the world had fallen silent and the streets were hollow, I found myself in a place of total desolation.

By the riverbank, the air was so still that even the sound of the wind was sharp and clear.

Once, I loved the sound of the wind; I always thought it could play a perfect melody.

Now...

The only thing accompanying me at the end was this desolate, whistling breeze.

Standing on the edge of the precipice, I looked out at the boundless expanse of the water, and my parched lips curled into a faint smile.

"No one will ever be able to hurt me again..."

All the agony was about to fade away.

Closing my eyes, fragments of the past flickered through my mind.

"Clara, if there is a next life, pray you never encounter him again."

Never again fall in love with him.

Forget everything. Become a person without a heart or feelings; only then can one survive in this dark world.

"Xavier, I don't hate you."

Without hate, there would be no lingering attachment after death.

Let us just... let each other go.

The moment I plunged into the icy water, suffocation and death swept in from every direction.

I closed my eyes, wishing only to sink into the depths of the ocean. May no one...

Ever disturb my peace again.

Chapter 12

The Fashion Show.

Outside the dressing room, the music from the runway was blasting so loudly it vibrated through the walls.

I rose from the vanity, smoothing the wrinkles in my skirt, and spun around in front of the floor-length mirror to admire my reflection.

Tonight, I was in France participating in a major design showcase. My manager, Mrs. Hannigan, had managed to secure the closing slot for me.

Four years ago, when I woke up in a hospital, Mrs. Hannigan was the one at my side.

I had no memory of anything before that moment, and I didn't have a penny to my name.

Seeing that I had the right look, Mrs. Hannigan invited me to enter the world of modeling.

I didn't disappoint her; I became the most successful model in her agency.

"Clara, how are you feeling? You’re up next."

Mrs. Hannigan pushed the door open and asked with concern, adjusting my necklace and stray hairs.

"I’m ready."

I nodded, checked the clock on the wall, and lifted the hem of my blue gown to head out.

Mrs. Hannigan called out after me, "Just relax! Your natural state is perfect!"

I stepped onto the runway under the gaze of a thousand eyes.

However, I felt a peculiar, persistent stare following me from the crowd, which felt unsettling.

As I struck a pose, I glanced toward the audience and saw a young woman staring at me with a look of utter shock.

It was an unfamiliar face.

I pushed down the strange feeling and was about to focus back on my walk when the woman suddenly threw decorum to the wind. She rushed onto the stage and seized my hand.

"Sister! Is it really you?!"

I frowned. Sister?

Who was she?

The girl looked so emotional she was on the verge of tears.

But I didn't know her. I looked around; the entire audience was frozen in confusion and disbelief.

In an international show like this, the attendees were all prominent figures in the design world. I had never encountered a situation like this before.

What was going on?

"Um... Miss, I think you have the wrong person."

I tried to pull my hand away, but her grip was incredibly strong, refusing to let go.

She seemed stunned into a daze, and I took the opportunity to wrench my hand free.

Just then, I heard Mrs. Hannigan’s voice through my earpiece. I quickly gathered my long train and hurried back toward the curtain.

Behind me, the room erupted into a feverish buzz of hushed conversations.

The moment I entered the lounge, Mrs. Hannigan demanded, "What happened? Do you know the heiress of the Riverton Group?"

The Riverton heiress...

I was taken aback. Was that the designer who had become a sensation in the industry over the last two years?

But I didn't know her.

I shook my head, my mind a complete blank.

A few moments later, that girl—the heiress, Celine—tracked me down backstage.

She seemed to have regained some of her composure. She stared at me in silence while I remained in my gown, and I quietly met her gaze.

We looked at each other for a long time, neither of us speaking.

Mrs. Hannigan broke the silence with a professional smile. "Miss Celine, was there something you needed with Clara Yin?"

Clara Yin.

That was my name.

She blinked, then whispered, "Clara Yin?"

I looked at her and gave a polite nod and a smile. "That’s me."

Celine’s eyes dimmed slightly.

"I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else earlier. I lost control for a moment because I thought you were my... late sister-in-law."

Hearing the explanation, I pressed my lips together. So that was it. I couldn't blame her for such a mistake.

"It’s alright. I don't mind."

Celine walked toward me slowly, her expression curious.

"Are you a model?"

"Yes."

I nodded, then glanced at Mrs. Hannigan, not knowing what else to say.

Managers are experts at reading the room. She immediately stepped in. "Clara hasn't been on the big stage much before. This show is effectively her first time on an international runway."

"I see," Celine murmured.

Just then, her phone began to ring.

Celine checked the screen, and her face went pale. She hurriedly asked me, "Miss Yin, could I get your contact information?"

"What?"

I was startled. Even if she had mistaken me for someone else, asking for my number so suddenly felt strange.

Celine’s eyes darted around. "It’s just... I’m designing a new jewelry line. Seeing you on the runway just now, I felt your look matches the image I’m searching for perfectly."

I was skeptical. It didn't sound entirely genuine—she had just claimed to mistake me for a dead relative, so why would she be thinking about business?

But Mrs. Hannigan answered for me immediately. "Of course! It’s an honor for our Clara to be your first choice."

Before I could protest, the two of them had already struck up a deal.

And just like that, Celine successfully walked away with my business card.

Even after she left, I stood frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened.

"Clara, you’re so lucky! This Miss Celine is a top-tier designer. If you can represent her work on the runway, your career will explode overnight. With her as a connection, you’ll never have to worry about resources again!"

In the modeling world, connections were everything.

And as a rising newcomer, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I..." Seeing how happy Mrs. Hannigan was, I couldn't tell if my own feelings were positive or negative.

Moving up in the world was good, certainly.

But...

I had a feeling I couldn't quite describe. That Miss Celine... she felt strangely familiar to me, too.

Chapter 13

After the commotion at the fashion show, Mrs. Hannigan and I didn't return to our hotel until very late.

I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep, but Mrs. Hannigan kept looking at Celine’s business card, unable to believe it was real.

"Clara, maybe this is finally our big break."

Mrs. Hannigan had managed several models before, but unfortunately, once they became famous, they would leave her for better opportunities.

After that, she lost all her resources and was fired by her agency.

It wasn't until the last two years that she re-entered the modeling world, starting from scratch with me—a complete newcomer.

"Mrs. Hannigan, it all feels so surreal... Miss Celine just met me out of the blue and then asked for our contact information."

As I spoke, I touched my face, recalling Celine’s words about mistaking me for someone else.

I feared it was only because of this face—was I that similar to her sister-in-law?

If that were the case, I couldn't accept such preferential treatment. It wasn't based on my own ability, but on this face... the thought made me feel terrible.

"Clara, don't think like that. Didn't Miss Celine say she liked your image? But she’s a very busy woman; I wonder if she’ll actually reach out to us..."

Mrs. Hannigan shook her head as she spoke.

"Do you have any idea? Celine has been a sensation in the design world these past two years. If you could become her exclusive model, you’d instantly be an A-list name in the industry."

A-list... was that an exaggeration?

I was curious about who this Miss Celine really was.

"Is she that powerful?"

Mrs. Hannigan nodded. "Of course. But the truly powerful one is her brother, Xavier Riverton."

Xavier!

Hearing those two syllables, a face flashed across my mind, but it vanished instantly into a blur.