Dorian immediately stepped away from the children when he noticed the discomfort written across her face.
“I’m sorry.
I should have waited for your permission before entering.” Brielle gave a small nod.
She continued drying her damp hair with the towel in her hand, her eyes remaining on him as though she were still trying to understand why he had come into the room so early.
Dorian lowered his gaze, suddenly looking almost embarrassed by his own intrusion.
“I was hoping I could take you out today,” he said after a moment, eager to prevent another uncomfortable silence from settling between them.
“I thought you and the children could use some new clothes.” Brielle hesitated.
“I will find something to wear and come out later,” she replied.
“You don’t have to worry about what you’re going to wear now.” Dorian turned toward the door.
“Nancy!” A few seconds later, there was a knock.
“Sir, may I come in?” Nancy asked from the other side.
“You may enter, Mrs.
Nancy.” The door opened and Nancy stepped inside.
“I would like you to get some clothes for Brielle and the children.
We will be going out today to get whatever else they need.
In the meantime, prepare their breakfast.” “Yes, sir.” Dorian gave Brielle one last glance before stepping out with Nancy.
“Miss Brielle, she will bring everything you need shortly.” He paused at the doorway.
“And… I will be waiting for you in the hall.” Brielle nodded.
Once the door closed, she released a quiet breath.
She was still trying to understand the strange turn her life had taken.
Only a short while ago, she had been struggling simply to survive.
Now she was standing in an unfamiliar bedroom, surrounded by luxuries she had never asked for, with two children depending entirely on her and a man she barely knew insisting on taking care of them.
Nothing about it felt normal.
Yet, somehow, it felt safer than the life she had known before.
Not long after, Nancy returned carrying several neatly folded pieces of clothing.
“I have already set breakfast,” she said as she placed the clothes on the bed.
“The other workers will bring food for the children.
You can join Mr.
Wolfe at the dining hall.” “I would like to have my breakfast with the children in the room, please.” “But—” Nancy stopped herself.
Brielle’s expression was polite, but firm.
“Of course,” Nancy finally agreed.
“I will ask them to bring your food along with theirs.” “Thank you.” Nancy smiled faintly before leaving.
Brielle picked up the dress from the pile.
It was simple, yet elegant.
The fabric was soft beneath her fingers, and the deep shade seemed almost too refined for someone who had spent the last few days worrying about where her next meal would come from.
She stepped in front of the mirror and held it against herself.
For a moment, she barely recognized the woman staring back at her.
She changed quickly.
When she emerged from the bathroom, the dress fell around her with an effortless grace.
It wasn’t made for her, and the slight looseness around her waist made that obvious, but somehow the imperfections only made the dress look more natural on her.
The fabric followed the gentle movement of her steps, catching the light whenever she moved.
Its color brought warmth to her complexion, while the modest neckline framed her features without demanding attention.
Her damp hair rested against her shoulders in loose strands, giving her an almost unintentional softness.
She turned slightly toward the mirror.
Then the other way.
A small smile touched her lips.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t look like someone who had been running from one disaster to another.
She simply looked like Brielle.
She touched the edge of the dress thoughtfully before looking toward the children.
“Come on,” she whispered, her voice carrying a tenderness that immediately softened her expression.
“Let’s have breakfast.” Dorian sat in the hall waiting for Brielle.
He had already finished his breakfast and was now seated on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
His expression remained troubled as he read through the several messages that had flooded his phone that morning.
The situation with his company was becoming increasingly alarming.
The investors were still threatening to withdraw their funds, and the reports he had received only seemed to confirm that the company was heading toward a difficult period.
As his mind remained occupied with those thoughts, he heard the soft tapping of footsteps against the tiled floor.
He lifted his head.
His eyes instantly met Brielle’s.
For a moment, Dorian simply stared.
Brielle walked toward him with slow, graceful steps, seemingly unaware of the effect her appearance had on him.
The dress Nancy had given her rested elegantly against her.
Although it was not perfectly fitted, the slight looseness around her waist did little to take away from its beauty.
The fabric flowed gently with every movement, its soft folds catching the morning light that poured through the large windows of the hall.
Her damp hair fell naturally around her shoulders, with a few strands resting delicately against her cheeks.
She had made no elaborate effort to change her appearance, yet there was something striking about the simplicity of it.
The dress seemed to bring out a quiet radiance in her, making her look almost unfamiliar to Dorian.
He found himself staring longer than he intended.
Brielle noticed and lowered her gaze briefly.
“Is something wrong?” Dorian blinked and quickly looked away.
“No.
You look… different.” A faint smile appeared on Brielle’s lips.
“I suppose it’s because I’m wearing something different.” Dorian nodded and turned his attention back to his phone.
Just then, a notification appeared.
He glanced at the screen.
The moment he read the message, his expression changed.
The color drained from his face.
His fingers tightened around the phone as his eyes remained fixed on the screen.
Brielle immediately noticed the sudden change in his demeanor.
“What is it?” Dorian slowly lifted his eyes from the phone.
He stared at her.
But this time, there was something in his eyes that made Brielle’s smile disappear.
Something had changed.
And whatever he had just read had everything to do with her.