Queenie’s exhibition went off without a hitch. After a few rounds of negotiation, they finally settled on Liam and another rising film star as the new faces of the joint brand.


    Liam’s meteoric rise took Alessia by surprise; he seemed born for the spotlight, drawing attention wherever he went. With his striking looks and undeniable charisma, he catapulted to stardom, quickly bing a household name.


    Endorsement offers soon flooded in. Still, for all his fame, Liam hadn’t yetnded a signature hit–no defining moment or body of work people could point to and say, “This is Liam.” He was well aware of it, too. What he needed was a breakout single, something custom–tailored to him the way Tristan had received when Alessia wrote a song thatunched his career. So, whenever he wasn’t busy with dailymitments, Liam could be found sequestered in the studio, workingte into the night.


    Everyone was immersed in their own projects, and for once, it felt like things were moving in the right direction.


    Almost without realizing it, the year slipped quietly to its end.


    “Lessie, are you busy right now?<i>” </i>Karen’s voice came through the phone.


    Alessia set down the file she was reading and rubbed her temples. ncing at the clock, she realized it was already dinnertime.


    Ever since the holidays started, Verá called almost daily, urging her to stop by the office. It was ironic–she was the owner, yet somehow she’d ended up with the daily grind and anxieties of an employee.


    Still, Vera couldn’t really be med. Thepany had just expanded several divisions at once, which meant a mountain of new work. Some things needed Alessia’s personal oversight, and with the end–of–year rush, having an extra decision–maker around was simply more efficient.


    “In a few days it’ll be New Year’s Day,” Karen said warmly. “Why don’t you bring Cole over to celebrate with the family? The more, the merrier.”


    Alessia hesitated. “I’ll ask him.”


    “Good. Just tell him toe for dinner, and leave it at that,” Karen instructed.


    Alessia agreed, chatted a bit longer, then hung up.


    12:37


    She understood what Karen was getting at–she was worried Cole would be reminded of his parents, or worse, spend the holiday alone. Alessia tried to recall how she and Cole had spent the New Year before.


    Most years, she’d suffer through an overindulgent lunch with the extended Tate family, then sneak off to Cole’s ce in the evening. Together with Parrish and Jade, they’d visit Xander and share a proper holiday meal.


    Since Parrish passed and Jade fell ill, neither she nor Cole had much heart for festivities. Last year, they’d simply joined Xander for a quiet dinner and then gone their separate ways.


    Another year gone in the blink of an eye, and the ache of old memories lingered.


    “Boss, here’s thest report. If everything checks out, the project’s good to go and we’ll schedule theunch after the holidays.”


    Snapping out of her reverie, Alessia reviewed the document and signed it.


    “Have the year–end bonuses been distributed?”


    “Finance says they finished payouts this afternoon.”


    “And the holiday memo?”


    “It went out. We’re officially on break starting tomorrow.” Vera took the signed


    papers.


    “Are you spending the holidays at the hospital again this year?”


    Vera seemed caught off guard by the question, but nodded.


    “<i>Eddie </i>Chase has a friend who’s a specialist in psychiatry. Here’s his card–I’ve already given him a heads up. He’ll be back in town on the third and has some time then.”


    Vera’s eyes


    lit <ol><li><i>up</i><i>. </i>“Thank </li></ol>


    you, boss.”


    “I’m just making the introduction. You’ll have to handle the fees and arrangements yourself.”


    Alessia had always known how <i>to </i>help without overstepping, careful to offer support in a way that respected boundaries. Even her kindness was measured–genuine, but never <i>so </i>much that it became a burden or an unspoken


    debt.


    That, perhaps, was why her generosity never backfired. She understood human nature: give too much, and people start to expect it. Better to keep a safe distance,


    <b>213 </b>


    <b>12.37 </b>


    where gratitude never turns into entitlement.


    <b>3/3 </b>