Chapter 2

Hope

I had finalized the divorce already, now it was time for the next step.Two days later, I met with the HR director of a luxury design firm based in Florence. They had been following my work for months, impressed by my portfolio and my knack for creating bespoke interiors that balanced elegance with practicality.“We’d be lucky to have you,” the director had said with a warm smile. “The position is yours if you want it. Start date is flexible, but we’d like you in Florence within the next two months.”I accepted without hesitation.Finally, I was going to live a life that belonged to me.Later that day, I sat in the room I’d converted to my home studio of sorts, a quiet place to work at on days I didn’t feel like going to my studio in the city, or for when inspiration struck late at night. The first box I packed was hidden beneath layers of fabric swatches and old sketchbooks in there.