StarNovelChapter 272
Audrey
The last rays of sunset poured in through the tall windows, spilling warm golden shafts of light across the
hardwood floors. The space was bedecked with banners and streamers, a birthday cake sitting in the middle of
the room. It was clear what my friends were implying. Someone had purchased the storefront I'd been pining
over for months.
I should have been thrilled, but all | felt was guilty. And honestly... betrayed.
“Why did you buy this place for me?” | asked, whirling to face the others. “Why would you all... | mean, this place
cost...”
| trailed off, unable to even say the amount.
“Because you need a place for your charity, Audrey,” Edwin said. “A real place. The apartment can’t hold you
and your designs anymore-it's barely holding up as it is. No offense, but | can’t really stand the mess anymore.”
“Yes, but—" | stammered, flushing. “I didn’t... | wanted to pay for it myself. I told you guys...”
My friends exchanged glances before Tina spoke up. “Audrey, look around you. You've done so much for us. For
the whole pack. | think it’s high tyou let someone else do something for you for once.”
| swallowed, glancing around the room. My mind was torn between elation and guilt and hurt. Mostly guilt. This
place was expensive. | looked at Edwin, wondering if he'd been the one to foot the bill, but he just offereda
tiny, reassuring smile.
“But | don’t... | don’t deserve this. This was going to be my project, my plan to save up, my-"
“Your burden to bear alone?” Betty interrupted. “Please. We've seen the way you've been practically drooling
over this place for months. You don’t think we would notice?”
“It's not that,” | argued, shaking my head. “I just... | wanted to prove to myself that | could do it on my own.”
Tina's smirk softened, and she gave a small shrug. “Well, consider this an investment in your big dream, Audrey.
We want in on this charity of yours. All of us.”
My jaw went slack, the words sinking in slowly.
“Wait... what?” | whispered.
Betty nodded. “Edwin and Claudia paid for a lot of it,” she admitted. “But we all chipped in. Not just for you,
though. We all want a part in the charity. To be... partners.”
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Before | could even wrap my head around it, Gavin spoke up. “I was thinking | could run a little coffee stand right
over there,” he said, pointing to the corner nearest the front window. I'll offer free coffee and pastries for anyone
who needs it, along with monthly food drives.”
“A... coffee stand?” | echoed, still reeling.
“Yep. I've got experience in the restaurant business, as you know And | really like talking to customers, so |
thought it would be perfect.”
“And I'm taking on bookkeeping,” Betty added quickly. “Someone has to keep you from funneling all your profits
straight back into supplies, Audrey. I'm the only one in this group who actually knows how to balance a budget,
anyway.”
“And as for me,” Avis continued, “I'd love to create designs with you. We can cup with a one of a kind piece
together every season, and I'll sew it and display it in the window right here-it'll be like free advertisement for
my tailoring business
and you'll be able to sell the pieces for your charity.”
My mouth opened, then closed, completely at a loss for words.
Avis gavea nudge with her elbow. “Con, Audrey. Don’t tellyou're still against the idea.
“It's not that...” I mumbled, looking down at my hands, which were twisting together nervously. “It’s just... you're
all... and this is...” | stumbled over my words, hardly able to get a single coherent thought out.
Peter let out a short laugh, stepping forward as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s not just for you, Audrey.
It’s for all of us. Every one of us wants to make a difference, just like you do. I'd like to run your marketing
department. You know how... good with words | am.”
That much was true, but it still felt like it wasn’t enough to make up for the money they'd all spent to buy this
place. “But | didn't even-" | began, only to be cut off by Eliza's voice.
“As for me, | want to be the liaison for the orphanages,” she said. “I'll communicate with the orphanages, help
direct funds, set up scholarships for orphans and foster children, that sort of thing. After everything we went
through with Joseph...” She trailed off, her expression softening as she looked away. “I just feel like it's where |
need to be.”
My throat tightened as | took in her words, my mind racing to process everything. They all wanted to help. They
wanted to be a part of this, my dream, my vision. It was more than | could have ever imagined.
| looked over at Edwin, searching for his reaction. He'd been standing quietly by my side, watching the whole
exchange without a word. | didn’t know what to say, or even what to do, despite the thrum of approval | felt
through the bond.
“I want to be part of it, too,” he said softly, stepping forward and snaking his arm around my waist.
| just stared up at him, my heart racing. “You?”
He nodded. “Not as a partner in the business, but... well, Claudia and | were thinking, actually.” He gestured
toward the entryway, where my mother had been standing this whole time.
“How about a fashion show?” she asked. “You, me, and Edwin. Your debut line to get the charity up
and running.”
My eyes went wide, and | could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. A fashion show... with my mother? Their words
leftspeechless. My friends and family weren't just offering to help-they were offering to build this dream with
me.
“So... all of you... want to do this?” | whispered.
A chorus of nods met my question, and | could hardly believe it
Slowly, a warmth began to spread through my chest. | realized then that this wasn’t just my dream. It was all of
ours. That was why they had bought this place-so we could all make a difference together. Maybe | didn’t have
to go it alone.
| took a shaky breath, nodding as the reality of it all finally hit“Alright. I... Ill do it. I'll run the fashion show
with you both.”
A cheer went up from the others, and before | knew it, everyone was surrounding me, embracing me, laughing. |
nearly got suffocated in the tangle of arms and bodies, but I couldn't help but laugh with them, tears now
streaming freely down my cheeks.
“Now that’s settled, it’s tto celebrate,” Peter announced, grabbing a bottle of champagne from the table and
popping the cork with a grin. Glasses were passed around, and soon enough, the drink was easing my lingering
worries.
“Let's not forget the party hats!” Tina exclaimed, tossing a bright red hat onto my head with a laugh. I rolled my
eyes, but | couldn't hide the smile that tugged at my lips as everyone joined in, each one of them donning
ridiculous hats.
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Chapter 272
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Someone cut into the cake, plates were passed around, and laughter and music filled the air. | still couldn't help
but think that they were all a bunch of sneaky bastards, but | was also glad for their sneakiness.
It was easy to imagine it now-the shop filled with racks of clothes, people bustling in and out, donations being
made, lives being changed. And the dream, my dream, finally coming to life right here, with the people I loved
by my side.
As the night wore on, the champagne flowed, cake was devoured, and the chatter grew louder as everyone
shared their visions for the shop. Soon enough, we were all practically running around with champagne-induced
excitement, chattering about what should go where and who should do what.
As the others played games on the floor and laughed so loudly that even passersby on the street watched
curiously through the windows, Edwin took my hand, pullingclose. With a grin, he began to sway to the
music.
“Look at you,” he murmured, spinningaround gently. “Finally accepting a little help for once.”
| couldn’t help but laugh at his askew party hat in the shape of a golden crown. It was lopsided on his head, his
dark hair falling into his eyes. “You're impossible, you know that?” | teased, reaching up to adjust the crown.
Before | could fix the crown, he was suddenly liftingup and twirlingaround until my feet left the floor, the
room spinning around us in a blur. | clung to him, laughing and dizzy, not caring that our hats fell off our heads
and fluttered to the ground.
When he finally setdown, my face hurt from laughing so much. He tangled his fingers in my silver hair, his
face softening. “Happy birthday, my love,” he whispered.
Tears pricked at my eyes, but only the good kind. | reached up to cup his cheeks in my hands, running my
thumbs across his dark stubble.
“Oh, you stubborn old wolf...”
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