Chapter 9 - The Sister's Reinforcement
That evening, the cabin door swung open, bringing in a gust of pine-scented wind and three large cardboard boxes of architectural supplies.
Sophie had driven down to Clara’s old storage unit downtown, retrieving her drafting board, her vintage German compass set, and her original university portfolios.
"If we're going to be stuck on a mountain for three weeks, you aren't sitting around watching daytime news," Sophie declared, dumping the boxes onto the rug.
"Your license renewal is due next month, and the city board is accepting bids for the new public library wing."
Clara stared at the familiar green cutting mat and the heavy silver T-square she hadn't touched since Julian forced her to resign.
"Julian said my designs were too practical," Clara whispered, tracing the brass edge of her favorite ruler.
"He said a wife's energy should be spent maintaining the home, not competing with men in construction firms."
Sophie pulled up a stool and slapped a fresh sheet of drafting vellum onto the wooden table.
"Julian’s aesthetic was a prison with expensive curtains," Sophie said firmly.
"You design buildings that let light in. Now sit down and draw something that doesn't have a single locked door."
For the next four hours, the only sound in the cabin was the scratching of graphite against vellum and the crackle of the hearth fire.
Clara's hand was stiff at first, her shoulder muscles pulling painfully against her healing skin with every wide stroke.
But as the lines formed—tall open arches, sweeping glass atriums, and wide community gardens—the tightness in her chest began to dissolve.
Viktor watched from the armchair, his reading light dim, his face relaxed for the first time since the examination room.
"That looks like the pavilion you designed for your final year project," Viktor observed, nodding toward the sketch.
May you like
"It's better," Clara said, her eyes shining in the warm lamplight.
"This one has a structural foundation that can't be shaken by anything."
