Chapter 4 — Three Months Later
Three months later...
Fashion magazines called Maya...
"The Cinderella Designer."
Vivian wore Maya's first original gown to the International Film Awards.
It became the most photographed dress of the year.
Orders poured in from Paris.
Milan.
New York.
London.
Edward Sinclair officially introduced Maya as the newest Creative Director of Sinclair Couture.
Meanwhile...
Regina's story spread across every business news outlet.
The video of her tearing apart Maya's sketchbook reached millions of views.
Sponsors withdrew.
The charity board removed her.
She lost her executive position.
One afternoon, she quietly walked into Maya's new design studio.
She looked smaller than Maya remembered.
"I came to apologize."
Maya looked up from her sketchbook.
The same kind Regina had once destroyed.
"For what?"
Regina swallowed.
"For believing your uniform told me who you were."
Maya smiled gently.
"No."
"My uniform revealed who I was."
"It revealed someone willing to work."
"It was your attitude..."
"...that revealed who you were."
Regina lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
Maya nodded.
"I forgive you."
Regina looked hopeful.
"But forgiveness doesn't mean I trust you."
Those words hurt more than any insult.
Regina quietly left.
Never looking back.
That evening, Maya finished a new sketch.
May you like
In the corner of the page, she wrote a sentence she'd never forget.
Never judge a dream by the clothes someone wears while chasing it.
