Rick, now visibly tense, looked between Alexis and Ellen, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion. “Ellen,” he said, his voice thick with regret, “I… I never meant for any of this to happen. You—” He stopped himself, looking away. He wasn’t sure how to continue, like he wanted to apologize but didn’t have the words.

Ellen’s eyes hardened, feeling the weight of his betrayal all over again. But instead of getting emotional, she chose to respond with strength. “I’m not interested in your excuses anymore, Rick. It’s too late for apologies. You made your choice. And as for you, Alexis, you don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do. You’ve already taken enough.”

She paused for a moment, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. The crowd around them had started to take notice, the tension in the air palpable. Ellen wasn’t going to let them walk away unscathed—not this time. “You’re right about one thing,” she said, her voice cutting through the air. “You two are perfect for each other. A pair of manipulators. You both know how to make people feel small to make yourselves feel bigger. But the truth is, you’ll never amount to anything more than what you are right now.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Rick stood there, visibly shaken, his face paling. He wanted to argue, to defend Alexis, but the words were stuck in his throat. Alexis, on the other hand, had gone completely still, her eyes flashing with anger, her mask slipping for the first time.

“You think you’ve won?” Alexis spat, her voice harsh now. “You think you’re better than me? Fine. But one day, people will see you for what you really are—a nobody who couldn’t make it on her own. Remember that.”

Ellen took a step closer, her eyes cold. “If that’s true, Alexis, then why are you still so threatened by me?”

The question hung in the air, biting and sharp, and for a moment, Alexis didn’t have an answer. The truth was, Alexis had been fighting a losing battle all along. And Ellen had just exposed it, for everyone to see.

Turning on her heel, Ellen walked away, not bothering to look back. She could feel the eyes on her as she moved through the crowd, but she didn’t care. Her steps were confident, the sound of her heels clicking on the floor like the beat of her own drum.

As Ellen stepped away, the relief of having confronted her past settled over her like a heavy blanket. Maya, Daniel, and Leo were waiting for her, and their expressions softened when they saw the steely determination in her eyes.

“How’d it go?” Maya asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

Ellen smiled, her confidence unshaken. “It went just as it should’ve. They know exactly who I am now.”

Leo gave a low whistle. “Damn, Ellen. You didn’t just slap them down—you showed them who’s in control.”

Ellen chuckled, running a hand through her hair. “I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t have to fight for your success. You just have to own it.”

Daniel clapped his hands. “And own it you did. They’re the ones who’ve been left behind.”

“Now let’s make this show a success tomorrow!”

“For sure!”

The grand hall of Fashion Week was buzzing with anticipation. It was the evening of Ellen’s show, and everything was in motion. Backstage, there was a controlled chaos—stylists, makeup artists, and assistants darting from one model to the next, preparing for the most important moment of Ellen’s career. The models were all dressed in the first set of pieces from her new collection, Threads of Change, and the air was thick with excitement.

Ellen stood in front of the mirror backstage, taking a deep breath as she surveyed her team. Maya was putting finishing touches on one of the models, Daniel was checking the tech setup, and Leo was running through last-minute notes with the media team. Everything was aligning, but she could feel the weight of the night pressing down on her shoulders.

“Hey, you good?” Maya asked, her voice filled with concern. She stepped up next to Ellen, her eyes scanning her.

Ellen looked at her team, her family. “I’m ready,” she said, though her voice had a slight tremor. “But I just keep thinking—what if they don’t get it? What if they don’t see what I’m trying to say with this collection?”

Maya smiled gently, placing a reassuring hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “They’ll see it. You’ve made something that speaks for itself. This is your moment.”

Ellen nodded, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t just showing clothes tonight—she was showing the world what Threads of Change was all about: justice, unity, and hope. Each piece, each stitch, each design was a message—a call to action. The collection wasn’t just fabric; it was a story of empowerment, activism, and a better world.

The music started to pulse in the background, signaling that the show was about to begin. Ellen turned toward the entrance, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

The lights dimmed, and the room fell into a hush. The audience waited with bated breath, the anticipation palpable in the air. Ellen stood backstage, her eyes scanning the runway. This was her moment, and she was going to own it. She could feel her heart racing, the excitement mixing with the butterflies in her stomach, but there was also something else—something more powerful than nerves.

The first model stepped onto the runway, the spotlight illuminating her as she strutted forward, embodying the very essence of the collection. The theme was clear: Threads of Change was not just about fashion—it was a statement.

The first look was a sleek, fitted blazer made from regenerated ocean plastics, paired with tailored trousers. The model wore minimal makeup, her skin glowing, her hair wild and free. A large, hand-painted patch of a whale was embroidered across the back of the jacket, a subtle yet powerful nod to climate activism. The natural dyes in the fabric reflected the colors of the ocean—deep blues, teals, and soft greens—and the entire piece shimmered under the runway lights.

The audience gasped in awe. The crowd had seen sustainability on the runway before, but this wasn’t just about eco-friendly fashion. This was a call to action.

The second look was even more striking—a floor-length gown made from handwoven silk sourced from women’s cooperatives in India. The bodice was embroidered with intricate designs representing female strength and resilience. As the model walked, the gown flowed around her like a river, the colors shifting from soft earth tones to vibrant reds and golds. The dress told a story of generations of women coming together, working in unity for something greater than themselves.

As the model reached the end of the runway, a slow, appreciative clap rippled through the audience. There was a palpable shift in the room—this wasn’t just a fashion show. This was a movement.

The next few looks had the audience sitting at the edge of their seats. Dresses made from natural fibers, suits crafted from recycled denim, and tailored jackets with intricate hand-painted symbols of justice. Every piece felt like a piece of art, and with every model that walked, the message of the collection was becoming clearer.

Then came the standout piece—the one Ellen had poured her heart into: the Protest Coat.

A model stepped out wearing the floor-length coat made from biodegradable leather, its rich, dark hue standing out starkly against the rest of the collection’s lighter colors. The back of the coat was adorned with a vibrant mural—a group of protestors marching for climate change, painted by a collective of local street artists. The image was bold, striking, and unapologetic. It was a direct challenge to the status quo, a bold statement that change was inevitable, and it was up to everyone to fight for it.

The audience sat in stunned silence as the model moved down the runway, the lights catching the coat’s intricate details. It was impossible not to be moved. People whispered, murmuring to each other about the raw emotion the coat evoked. This was more than just a fashion piece—it was a symbol, a rallying cry for anyone who believed in making the world better.

As the last model walked off the runway, Ellen’s heart swelled with pride. The show had been a success, but it wasn’t just about the clothes. It was about the message she had shared with the world.