Page 167 of The Encore’s Crown

Aga is trying to stop Amelka from chewing on the corner of a makeup palette while Kacper sits on the floor surrounded by tissue paper from some designer shoes he's managed to already destroy, delighted by the damage he’s causing. He's already crushed one lipstick into the carpet, so this is just icing on the cake.

“Kacper, no.”

He looks up at me with the complete innocence of a two-year-old who has definitely committed the crime and feels no shame for it. Then I see the cream shirt beside him.

Black lines zigzag across the front in wild loops. Some have transferred onto his pajama pants. One streak disappears beneath the hem like he tried to color himself too. I stare at the label.

"That shirt costs more than an entire year of tuition at Blackmoore Academy," I tell him with a shake of my head.

Not that Kacper cares at all. He’s two. He barely attends pants. Aga snatches the marker away before he can continue his masterpiece. “Where did you even find this?”

Kacper points at the floor as though the marker grew there naturally.

From the sewing room, Mama calls, “There are more boxes in here!”

My bedroom is already full. The living room is disappearing. Mama’s sewing table has vanished beneath boxes and branded envelopes. Another garment bag hangs from a cabinet handle because we’ve run out of hooks.

There is only one person I know with enough money, influence, and poor impulse control to make this happen overnight.

I grab my phone.

So, I guess Bomos told these brands he has a favorite influencer he wants reviewing all this? How did you get my address?

i have my ways.

Kiri Chhim. Did you pay for all this shit?

thats a rude way to talk about the brands your representing

maybe

MAYBE?

at least itll keep you busy while Im in the studio

thinking about every way Ive already had you and every way Im going to

Heat races up my neck so quickly I turn away from Mama on instinct. Behind me, Amelka starts crying because Aga has removed the palette from her mouth. Kacper takes advantage of the distraction to grab a fistful of shredded tissue paper and throws it into the air.

This is insane. You shouldn't have done this.

you wont be working some job you hate. youll be working for yourself.

thats what you wanted right?

My annoyance loses some of its shape. I look around the house. At the perfumes lined across the mantel. The palettes spread over the coffee table. The clothes draped over chairs and stacked on the stairs. At Aga trying to clean marker off Kacper’s fingers while Amelka reaches for every glittering object within range.

Yeah but you bought all of it.

The typing bubble appears, disappears, then returns.

sure but musicians hollywood actors whatever

its never all talent

its luck

let me be your luck. i just got the shit you have to make it into something. which i know you can do ive seen you in action