Natalie’s POV


    Seven monthster…


    “Hun, are you ready?” Lucas shouted from the living room.


    “Coming!” I shouted back.


    I stared at my reflection in the mirror with admiration. The haircut and the makeup were amazing; I could barely recognize myself.


    I turned to the hairdresser with a broad, happy smile. “Thank you! I love it.”


    “I’m happy you do,” Isabe, the hairdresser, replied with a smile.


    Once I entered the living room, Lucas whistled admiringly and mumbled, “Wow, you look amazing!”


    “Thank you!” I smiled and walked past him to grab my purse, which was on the sofa.


    “Ugh…” I moaned as I bent down. I felt a strong kick from inside. My stomach had been growing bigger thesest few weeks, and my child’s kicks were getting stronger.


    Lucas ran towards me, grabbed my waist, and eximed, “What’s wrong?”


    I gently pushed him away and teased him with a smile, “No need to panic over every ‘ouch’ I utter, Lucas! I’m a pregnant woman about to give birth, it’s normal for me to feel some difort in my belly.”


    He awkwardly wiped the back of his neck and said with his charming smile, “Oh, I’m afraid if anything bad happened while I’m with you, Daniel would kill me.”


    Iughed. “Come on, nothing bad will happen, unless you make mete for my fashion design show!”


    Today was my first fashion design show in Paris. I had worked hard for six months to achieve what I did. My new collection was set to be disyed in a prestigious international fashion house, with Olivia Robinson, the international supermodel, as the main model for the show.


    I never dreamed that my collection would be showcased in an international fashion exhibition, let alone feature an international model. The Rowsen Group financed my work, which gave them the confidence to coborate with me. This sess was all thanks to Daniel, who supported and believed in me every step of the way.


    Once I reached the venue, I felt a little worried. This was my first time, and my dream was finallying true.


    I took a deep breath and stepped inside the building with Lucas by my side.


    Even though I was confident in my work, a mix of emotions coursed through me; excitement, anxiety, and fear.


    All my designs expressed happiness, freedom, and power-the three things I didn’t have in my past life, but was now determined to attain.


    One of the reasons I worked day and night to achieve my dream was my desire to build a new life where I was stronger and independent. However, I wouldn’t deny that most of the sleepless nights weren’t just because of work.


    “Miss Natalie, everything is ready. The show will start now,” said my assistant.


    I swallowed and smiled, trying to reduce the anxiety and tension I was feeling.


    All the models were ready, wearing their dresses. I checked every detail, making sure everything was perfect.


    This was the show that would determine my ce in the world of fashion. Many celebrities and high-ss women were in attendance.


    Even though my huge belly prevented me from moving smoothly, it didn’t stop me from giving instructions and guidance, especially to the makeup artist assigned to supermodel Olivia Robinson. She was an icon of beauty and perfection, even though she was cold and arrogant. The girl barely said a word or replied with a full sentence.


    I stood behind the stage, checking each model’s dress just seconds before she walked out. My legs were aching from standing all day, even though I was wearing t shoes.


    “Take it easy, Natalie,” Lucas murmured, patting my shoulder. “The show is going smoothly, and it’s making a good impression on the audience.”


    I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I was confident in my abilities and designs, but I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious. I was grateful that Lucas was here, supporting me every single moment with his charming,forting smile.


    I hugged him tightly and said, “Thank you so much for being here with me!”


    He hugged me back tightly, patting my head, and said, “I will always be here for you, Natalie.”


    “Miss, in fifteen minutes you should be on stage to greet the audience and say a few words,” dy, my personal assistant, said. “You should be ready; the makeup artist is waiting for you.”


    I took a step back from Lucas’s embrace. He said with a broad smile, “Go get ’em, girl. Astonish them.”


    Iughed and sat down at the makeup table. My makeup was already perfect, thanks to Isabe’s excellent work on my face. The makeup artists didn’t have to do much; they just made a few adjustments.


    I spared myself ast nce before heading to the stage’s internal door. I had gained some weight; my breasts and buttocks wererger, and my pregnancy had given me a rounded figure. My dress was short, white with small ck circles, fully covered from above, tight around the chest, and flowing out from below. I changed my t shoes for red high heels.


    “You will enter the stage on the count of one,” the organizer said, giving instructions to me and Olivia, who would enter the stage with me. The other models woulde after us and stand at the edges behind us.


    I nodded my head with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.


    “Three, two, one. Go!” the organiser said.


    With my chin held high, I walked alongside the supermodel who was the most popr in the fashion show world. My steps were steady, and despite myrge belly and short stature next to the model, I was filled with confidence in myself, my hard work, and my designs. Finally, I was beginning to reap the fruits of mybor, and that was all that mattered to me.


    As I walked in, the venue exploded with warm apuse and joy. My smile was broad, expressing my happiness. I raised a hand and waved to the cheerful audience, while my other hand rested on my belly, reassuring my child in the womb that mommy had achieved one of her dreams.


    The cameras shed lightning from everywhere.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    The presenter of the show said excitedly, “Hello, Natalie Rowsen. Congrattions on the sess of your fashion show. Would you like to say a few words?”


    Yes. I changed myst name to my father’sst name! This is how I started my new life. New identity, new career, new home. The man I once loved was now my past, behind me. I’d moved onpletely.


    Daniel informed me several times that Rafael had been searching for me in France, but using my newst name made it difficult for him to find me.


    The presenter promptly handed me the microphone. I took it, cleared my throat, and said, “Thank you everyone foring to this show. I’m so happy.”


    My eyes fell on Daniel and Maya in the front row of seats. They were staring at me with happiness, waving once our eyes met. Next to them were some of Rowsen’s family members who came to support me. It was a big, supportive family.


    I didn’t know what made me turn to the opposite side of the seats, only to meet the eyes of thest person in the world I thought I’d see tonight.


    His cold gaze made me shiver.


    I blinked, momentarily forgetting that I should be giving a speech now.


    What the hell was Rafael doing here?