They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 06

They Both Wanted Me Every Day — Now They Both Want Sunday to Last Longer Without Me Chapter 06

I stayed in the atelier until late. Nora didn’t leave. Neither did Ethan.

They stood outside the glass door, watching me like I was some fool heading for a fall.

Mia stayed to hold the lamp. She whispered, “Miss Vance… can you really fix it?”

I said, “Keep the light steady.”

She shut up immediately, gripping the lamp with both hands.

As the needle passed through the silk, the only sound in the room was the soft scrape of thread on fabric.

Nora couldn’t resist. She came in. “Lena, you used to hate detailed work like this.”

I didn’t look up. “People change.”

“But you couldn’t even sew on a button.”

I tucked the thread tail into the reverse side. “Someone used to do it for me. So I stayed lazy.”

Ethan stood at the door and suddenly asked, “Who taught you this?”

I said, “My grandmother.”

He frowned. “I thought she only made old handkerchiefs?”

Frank had just brought in the late-night snacks. He heard that and his face went dark.

I stopped him. “Frank. Set it down.”

Nora watched the pattern forming under my hands, her nails digging into her palms. “That’s different from my original design.”

I said, “Your original was a disaster.”

Her voice shook. “Lena, do you have to humiliate me like this?”

Ethan stepped in front of her. “Can you watch your mouth?”

I paused the needle and looked at him. “When she pushed the blame on me, did she watch her mouth?”

“She was desperate.”

“And I wasn’t?”

“You have a safety net.”

There it was again. That line.

I looked back down. “Ethan. Every time you say I have a safety net, you remind me I shouldn’t have given you one.”

He didn’t answer.

…

Two in the morning. The last stitch locked in.

The navy gown lay open, the problem area now reworked into a branching magnolia design—leaves and petals layered right over the old marks, clean and seamless.

Mia stared, completely lost for words. Finally she breathed, “This is so much better than what it was.”

Nora’s expression went even darker.

Ethan reached out and touched the embroidery. “Not bad.”

The words felt like charity.

I packed the gown. “I’ll deliver it tomorrow.”

Nora suddenly said, “Lena… thank you.”

I looked at her.

She added, “I knew you wouldn’t really abandon me.”

Ethan’s expression softened too.

They thought this was like before. I’d make a fuss, but in the end, I’d still save them.

…

The next day, the client received the dress. She turned her anger to delight. Nora’s atelier reputation was saved.

Nora accepted all the praise.

“Ms. Hale’s work is so refined!”

“And you fixed that flaw so beautifully—it’s rare to see that kind of skill in someone so young.”

Nora glanced at me and smiled. “I just did what I had to do.”

Ethan stood beside her, taking the business cards people handed her.

Nobody mentioned me.

Mia opened her mouth—but Nora shut her down with a look.

I stood in the corner, picked up my bag.

The client suddenly asked, “Miss Vance, you’re leaving?”

Nora jumped in, “Lena stayed with me for a bit last night. She must be tired.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Pretty tired.”

Ethan muttered, “Don’t be passive-aggressive in front of a client.”

I looked at the cards in his hand. “Relax. I’m not fighting her for them.”

Nora’s atelier landed a wave of new commissions because of that gown. Ethan threw her a celebration party at the club.

The invitation came to me. It read, [Special Thanks to Lena Vance.]

I asked Mia, who delivered it, “Did you write that?”

Mia blushed. “Nora had me write the guest list. I added you.”

“Does she know?”

Mia shook her head. “Probably not.”

I kept the invitation.

…

At the party, I wore a simple black dress.

Nora saw me and her smile flickered. “Lena… why are you so plain?”

I said, “Didn’t want to steal your spotlight.”

Her fingers tightened around her wine glass.

Ethan came over. “Glad you came. The dress thing is over. Don’t hold it against Nora.”

I asked, “What dress thing?”

He said, “The gown.”

I laughed. “You mean the one I fixed all night and she took credit for?”

People nearby looked over.

Ethan’s voice dropped. “Lena. This is her celebration.”

“So I’m supposed to just keep my mouth shut?”

Nora’s eyes welled up again. “Lena, I never meant to take credit for your work. My atelier is still getting off the ground. I can’t have clients thinking I can’t even finish a simple gown.”

I nodded. “You can’t. That’s a fact.”

The color drained from her face.

A man in a flashy shirt laughed. “Miss Vance, that’s a little harsh. Ms. Hale is one of the most talented formalwear designers in this city right now. You might know how to wear clothes, but you clearly don’t know how to make them.”

I looked at him. “And you are?”