Arielle has always had an eye for beauty—pleats that fall just right, patterns that tell a story, the kind of quiet charisma that draws people in. Designing felt like the one place she could be herself. But now, as a young talent at one of the city’s most prestigious fashion houses, she’s learning that talent doesn’t always matter.Not when power is sewed into every seam and looks have more weight than honesty. Working under the legendary—and legendarily cruel—Vera Durnay, Arielle learns quickly that brilliance means nothing if it isn’t branded. Her best ideas are stolen, her voice silenced, and every day she’s forced to play the part of someone who belongs. Because in fashion, perfection is the minimum—and vulnerability is a luxury no one can afford.
