Chapter 70

Chapter 70:

However, as she scrutinized the draft before her—merely a skeletal framework—her expression gradually twisted into a frown. Something was amiss. Her once boundless creativity had vanished, leaving behind a barren landscape where inspiration no longer thrived.

Laurie shut her eyes, seeking solace in the quietude, yet the persistent visions of Janice breached her tranquility.

“Mom, your designs are truly captivating. If you could just tweak it here, add some flair there, it would transcend perfection.”

“Mom, does this piece draw its essence from the ocean? How about adding some wave patterns to give it a more dynamic feel?”

“Mom…”

Laurie’s eyes snapped open, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

A realization dawned on her, sharp and sudden. It was Janice she needed.

Over the last year, Laurie had ascended to the heights of the fashion world, a journey sculpted profoundly by Janice’s guidance. Before Janice had re-entered her life, Laurie’s creations had been unremarkable, barely stirring interest. Without the backing of the influential Edwards family, starting her own label and earning any sort of acclaim would have been out of reach. But with Janice’s return, everything had changed.

It was as though a portal to boundless creativity had flung open, allowing Laurie to craft hit after hit, carving out a name for herself in the fashion world.

“But I didn’t even recognize Janice’s effort. Instead, I got annoyed at her interruptions and snapped at her to leave. And yet, every suggestion she gave made my drafts perfect!” Tears began to gather in Laurie’s eyes, blurring her vision.

“I always convinced myself that the brilliance of my designs sprang from spontaneous bursts of inspiration, but could those moments have existed without Janice? I was so terribly mistaken.”

Clasping her chest, Laurie felt a piercing sting of pain. The more brutally she had treated Janice, the heavier and more unbearable her guilt felt now.

It was bitterly ironic. With Janice’s help, Laurie might have risen to unmatched heights in the industry. Yet now, staring down at her latest unfinished sketch, the familiar spark of creativity failed to materialize.

Reflecting on her previous indifference and biting critiques directed at Janice, Laurie was consumed by regret. She wished she could turn back time and alter her behavior. Had she shown Janice more warmth, could that have persuaded her to stay? Perhaps Janice would have remained a beacon of inspiration and even approached JE for support in their darkest moments.

“I must call Janice and make amends.”

Laurie reached for her phone and dialed Janice’s number, only to be met with an instant block.

The abrupt busy signal left her gazing at her phone in dismay, a pang of sorrow throbbing in her heart.

“Could you truly be so ruthless as to block your own mother? Or perhaps, are you just upset and this is temporary?”

She opened her messaging app, only to notice that Janice’s profile picture was now a portrait of herself.

Janice’s features, serene yet assertive, stared back at her. The image was a stark contrast to her previous cheerful sunflower profile picture.

Laurie remembered Janice’s words like a distant echo. “Mom, I love sunflowers because they always face towards the light. I hope for the same…”

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