UPON SEEING THE MILLIONAIRE, THE SALESWOMAN FROZE AS SHE REALIZED HE WAS HER LATE HUSBAND...

The soft chime of the store’s front door bell echoed through the air as Emily adjusted the bracelet display in the sparkling glass case. The joalery store, nestled in the heart of bustling New York City, hummed with quiet sophistication. The delicate lighting reflected off diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. Emily glanced at her reflection in the glass, her tired hazel eyes meeting her own. She adjusted a stray lock of her auburn hair and sighed.
Eight years. That’s how long it had been since her world crumbled. Losing Michael in that horrific car accident felt like someone had ripped her heart out and left her to figure out how to keep breathing. But she had. She’d done it for her son, Ethan, who was only two when it happened. Now ten years old, he was her anchor, her light on even the darkest days.
"Mom, you’re staring off into space again," Ethan had teased her that morning as he packed his school bag. His playful tone and wide grin had pulled her out of her reverie. He had Michael’s smile-crooked but undeniably charming-and every time she saw it, her heart ached and healed at the same time.
Shaking off the memory, Emily returned her focus to work. It had taken years to get here, to this sense of normalcy. The job at the joalery store was her second chance. It wasn’t glamorous, but it paid the bills, and it gave her purpose. Over time, she’d earned the trust of her boss, Mr. Whitaker, and the loyal clientele who frequented the shop. Emily had a knack for connecting with people, understanding what they wanted even before they spoke.