I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 143

I had just raised an eyebrow, surprised they’d recognized my alias, when a low, husky laugh sounded from beside me.

I turned to Steven, his handsome features etched with a subtle disdain. “What are you laughing at?”

His dark eyes met mine, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You, Somania? Do you have any idea what Somania’s first piece was? It was a butterfly brooch, three-dimensionally inlaid from every angle, as if it had just emerged from its chrysalis, ready to take flight. It’s the work of someone passionate and free-spirited—not someone who would trap themselves in an arranged marriage.”

His words struck a nerve. I was free-spirited, but I had been blinded by love and trapped by circumstance into marrying him.

I hadn't planned on admitting it, but his condescending certainty sparked a defiant streak in me.

Someone once asked what hurts more: never having something, or having it and losing it. I think what hurts most is almost having it, only to fall just short. It’s like needing a sixty to pass and scoring a fifty-nine.

Steven said I couldn't be Somania, so I decided I had to be. The person he was looking for was me, and I would bet that his own prejudice would blind him to the truth, making him miss me forever.

I couldn’t take him down in a major way, nor did I want to. But this kind of small, satisfying revenge? This was fun.

I had the translator tell them, “Yes, I am Somania.”

The translator hesitated, glancing between me and Steven, before nodding and relaying my answer to the partners.

Steven let out a soft chuckle, his normal tone laced with a heavy dose of contempt.

“Zephyra, you always did love to lie.”

I don’t always lie. He didn’t know me at all. After a year of marriage, he had remained distant and cold. What right did he have to make that judgment?

I saw the deep-seated mockery in his eyes and simply didn’t care, letting out a soft huff.

“What’s it to you? When you’re out in the world, you make your own identity. I say I’m Somania, and as long as someone believes me, that’s all that matters. Besides, this is a one-time thing. I won’t be back, so who’s ever going to know the difference?”

Steven shot me a look but didn’t say another word. The partners, however, were suddenly buzzing with excitement, especially the balding project director, who couldn’t stop praising me.

“The jewelry you design is so light and full of life! Even the cold materials feel soft. It’s not just brilliant; you give it a powerful vitality. It’s amazing, truly fantastic!”

His gaze locked onto mine, his deep eyes unreadable. But I was too caught up in my victory to notice anything amiss.

With an agreement reached, both sides chatted amicably about future plans. Later, Steven and Gordon left to sign the official contracts. I knew it would be a tedious process filled with boring price negotiations, so I stayed behind in the hotel’s private dining room to wait for the celebration dinner.

The partners left their designer, Hugo, behind with me. He was tall and well-built with green eyes—not conventionally handsome, but he had a certain charm.

While his boss was present, he had been quiet. Now, he was animated, grabbing my hand and showering me with effusive compliments, thrilled that I was Somania and eager to discuss his design philosophy.

I responded politely, trying to subtly pull my hand away, which he held in a tight grip. It took a firm tug to finally free myself.

Hugo looked slightly apologetic. “I’m sorry, I just got a little carried away. Please don’t mind me.”

I gave him a distant, professional nod, not wanting to talk.

*Haven’t we already covered everything about design?* I wondered. *What else is there to talk about?*

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