Chapter 3

The moment the elevator doors opened, a subtle fragrance enveloped me.

Inside Declan's private perfume studio, the warm amber lighting helped ease my tense nerves slightly. But Damian's words—"picking up my leftovers"—still cut through my heart like a knife.

"Close your eyes."

Declan's voice was particularly magnetic in the soft lighting, making my heart race.

"I'm not used to this..." My voice trembled, hands unconsciously clenching. I had never been treated with such tenderness in my entire life.

"Forget what he said about you." Declan approached slowly, his fingers gently caressing my cheek. "Feel who you really are."

When the black silk blindfolded me, my other senses became incredibly sharp—his warm touch, the faint scent of cedarwood, and that unfamiliar tenderness I'd never experienced before.

This was nothing like Damian. He was never this patient with me.

"Now, tell me what you smell."

Essential oil dropped onto my wrist, releasing its fragrance instantly.

"Jasmine... and sandalwood?"

"Good." His voice was right by my ear. "You're more special than anyone, Violet."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "I've... I've never been treated like this before."

For three years, all I knew was being ignored and trampled on. And now, this man was rebuilding my world.

"From now on," Declan's lips moved close to my ear, his voice honey-smooth, "you only need to remember how I treat you."

When the silk fell away and I looked into the mirror, I couldn't believe my eyes.

The woman in the reflection had light in her eyes and a smile on her lips, radiating a confidence I'd never seen before. Was that really me?

"This is the real you." Declan stood behind me, his hand gently touching my shoulder. "Breathtakingly beautiful."

For the first time, I believed him.

Over the past few days, I kept looking in the mirror. Each time, I could see new changes in myself—not just my appearance, but that confidence radiating from within. Declan was right. This was the real me.

"Ready?"

Friday evening, Declan extended his arm for me to take. Tonight was our first public appearance together. I gripped his hand tightly, trying to calm my nerves.

When we appeared at the entrance to Elysium Club's main hall, I felt every gaze converge on us. The old me would have wanted to run and hide, but now I straightened my spine, curved my red lips, and welcomed every stare.

"Oh my God... isn't that perfumer Violet?"

"She looks... completely different."

Whispers rippled around us, but I no longer cowered.

"Do you hear that?" Declan whispered in my ear. "They're all praising you."

I smiled, genuinely this time. "I hear them."

Walking through the hall, I caught sight of a familiar figure in my peripheral vision. Damian sat in a corner booth with some friends, laughing and chatting, but I noticed his gaze occasionally drifting toward us.

In that moment, I caught the shock flashing in his eyes.

A surge of vindictive satisfaction rushed through me. See that, Damian? This is the woman you once trampled on. And now, I'm no longer that fool who'd get excited over a single glance from you.

"What are you thinking about?" Declan noticed my distraction.

"Nothing important." I turned my focus back to him. "Just thinking... how foolish I used to be."

"Well, now it's time to show everyone just how brilliant you are." Declan smiled as he guided me toward the exhibition hall. "Including my brother."

Inside the private exhibition hall, crystal chandeliers cast soft light over the elegant sofas where the club's important members sat gathered. I stood at the center of the display platform, holding an exquisite crystal bottle.

In this moment, I felt unprecedented confidence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I present to you my creation called 'Rebirth.'"

My voice was clear and confident, completely free of my former timidity. This fragrance took me a week to create, each note telling the story of my rebirth.

"It represents emerging from the cocoon as a butterfly, rising from the ashes."

As I opened the bottle, a complex and enchanting scent filled the air instantly. The bitter top notes of fennel symbolized pain, the warm heart of amber represented hope, and the deep base of sandalwood embodied post-rebirth strength.

"This is..." gasped a seasoned fragrance enthusiast. "These layers are simply works of art!"

"Amazing! I want to pre-order ten bottles!"

"No, twenty!"

Praise echoed throughout the room, and my smile grew brighter. This was my true worth, my talent, my uniqueness.

My gaze swept over the crowd and settled on Damian in the corner.

He was watching me.

In that moment, our eyes met across the room, and I saw the shock in his gaze, along with... something I'd never seen before.

I remembered his words from that night: "You're just a perfumer, a tool I can call to my bed anytime. This perfume is just like you—cheap and easily replaceable."

What about now? Do you still think I'm cheap and easily replaceable?

"I told you she was buried genius." Declan appeared beside me at just the right moment, his arm wrapping around my waist. "Now you all see it."

I felt the strength in his arm, that protective possessiveness bringing me comfort.

"I thank everyone who truly appreciates my worth," I projected my voice throughout the exhibition hall, my gaze sweeping over Damian again as my lips curved into a meaningful smile, "and I thank those... experiences that helped me understand my true value."

I didn't directly mention that humiliation, but I knew everyone present understood the deeper meaning behind my words.

Damian's face instantly turned pale.

Seeing him like this filled me with indescribable satisfaction.

When the applause erupted, I noticed even Damian was clapping. But his gaze remained fixed on me, that look in his eyes... I'd never seen it before.

Something was changing in his expression.

And for the first time, I understood what it meant to have "control."

After the exhibition ended, Declan and I prepared to leave. As we walked toward the parking garage, I felt a burning gaze following us.

Looking back, I saw Damian standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby, his silhouette particularly lonely against the night.

In that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of vindication.

"Looks like someone's finally starting to regret things." Declan followed my gaze, his lips curving into a meaningful smile. "But it's too late now."

Yes, too late.

I was no longer that girl whose heart would race at a single glance from him. Now, I only wanted to watch him slowly realize what he'd lost.

"There's another gathering at the club tomorrow," Declan squeezed my hand. "Ready to receive even more praise?"