*Ashford Private Jet – Somewhere Over the Alps*
Soft jazz murmured through the cabin.
Claire curled against the window, blanket draped across her lap, sketchpad balanced on one knee. She wasn't drawing gowns this time.
She was drafting uniforms—functional, simple, but laced with dignity. For girls who never wanted to be seen as victims again.
Edward sat across from her, watching in silence.
She looked up. “You're staring."
“I'm allowed," he said, sipping espresso. “You're designing the future."
Claire smiled faintly. “A future I didn't think I'd see."
He set his cup down. “Claire."
She glanced at him.
He leaned forward. “There's something I haven't told you."
Her smile faded. “Okay."
Edward exhaled. “I left my family at nineteen. Walked out of boardrooms and yachts because I co
