Ch. Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 5 Mr.chatterbox for her, Mr.Icebox for me? Ice melts and so did my love. 5

Chapter 5 

Day one in Milan. 

My schedule’s a war zone-To-Do List from hell. 

Right now? I’m basically a soldier clutching blueprints, ready to charge into battle any second. 

Can’t even breathe. 

The studio’s drowning in design drafts, fabric swatches, reference samples everywhere… 

Every single day it’s supplier meetings, revising fashion week proposals, endless video calls with the team… 

Even lunch breaks? Forget it. 

I’m glued to my iPad, grinding nonstop. Like a wound-up clock that can’t stop ticking. 

Zero mental space-or energy-to think about Mason. 

Whether he and Nora finally got together? What they’re doing right now? Are they laughing at how stupid I was? Or making up for lost time? 

All those questions that used to wreck me at 3 AM? Haven’t crossed my mind once. 

One thing’s crystal clear though. 

The second this hell week’s over, I’m calling a lawyer and filing for divorce. 

He can chase his precious Nora forever. 

And I’ll be here in Milan, shining on my own damn stage. 

One day I’m at this massive international fabric expo. 

Talking print techniques with a supplier when someone speaks perfect Mandarin behind me: 

“Ms. Parker, I absolutely love your Bloom collection.” 

I turn around. There’s this guy in a sharp suit-gorgeous, refined, total gentleman vibe. 

He’s smiling, holding my design poster. His eyes? Pure appreciation, no hiding it. 

09:27 

Mr. Chatterbox for Her, Mr. Iceberg for Me? Ice Melts, and So Did My Love! 

3.4% 

Chapter 5 

He extends his hand. “Ryan Wolfe. Asia Director for Alice Fabrics, Italy.” 

Ryan Wolfe. I know that name. 

We’d emailed before. But damn-didn’t expect him to look like this. 

I shake his hand, smiling. “You’re too kind, Mr. Wolfe.” 

His smile stays warm. “I mean it. Your work is brilliant. Especially this one-embroidery on worsted wool? Genius.” 

My eyes drop to the page he’s pointing at. 

My chest tightens. 

I killed myself over that design. Thirteen versions. 

Used mulberry silk thread on classic European fabric. 

Kept that Continental romance but hid Eastern depth underneath. 

My little secret. Even my team barely noticed. 

And he caught it instantly. 

That day we end up talking until they shut the place down. 

Fabric tech, design philosophy, everything. 

He doesn’t just know his stuff-he sees every hidden detail I buried in my work. 

Like finally talking to someone who gets me. 

Before leaving, he sends over a genuine offer: 

“I’d love to work together. Real collaboration.” 

“Also-I want to show you Milan properly. Know this Italian place you have to try.” 

I nod, smiling. No butterflies or anything. Just this unfamiliar feeling of being seen. Actually valued. 

The next few weeks we keep running into each other. 

Ryan drives me home whenever I work late-which is basically every night. 

When I’m stuck on fabric choices, he doesn’t say “looks fine.” He breaks it down-pros, cons, what works, what doesn’t. 

Chapter 5 

Oh and this? He knows I’m allergic to nuts. Every single time we eat out, he calls ahead to warn the kitchen. No 

exceptions. 

These small gestures, this basic consideration… 

I never got any of this from Mason in seven years. Not once. 

Just when I’m finally over all that bullsh*t… 

I’m leaving the studio one night. 

Someone’s waiting downstairs. 

My stomach drops. 

It’s Mason. 

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