en

ed in through the curtai

few hours of sleep. My mother's incessant

her crayons scattered around her. She looked up wit

th you to the party?"

he staff must have be

or little girls like you," I s

o coloring; thankfully, she

ad in the kitchen did nothing to c

to my mother's room, balan

awn halfway letting in litt

y and set the tray

tered open, t

le

ows against the headboard and placed the cup in her

at your brother," she

an I barely know. No, this isn't

took the wrong risks that didn't end well for him, but he is still y

laugh. "But that doe

a, don't harden your heart against him, try and s

y eyes. "And what about the

imes love means sacrifice

ears because I couldn't let he

back downstairs. I felt a pang of guilt knowing that I ha

want to go outdo

th the biggest smile on

miring different exotic flowers in the garden an

lam of the front door startled me. A mom

le

What doe

ee you in my

up to the room mumm

ka

his desk when I walked in.

ked, although it sounded more lik

t planni

s you as his date tonight. You don't w

be embarrassing when it was you," I pointed a finger

ead s

ved in shady business deal

ked with steel. "And that's why I'm trying to get

, by offer

ecause of him. So yes, Elena, you're go

e you for doing this

o, make sure you'

flaw hidden. In that moment, I could swear the woman staring back at me th

gal, perfect.

the silk and lace was just m

um

rway, her small hands clutching h

p. "You look l

tightened.

me to have a closer look. "The most beautiful pr

the ache in my chest. "Tha

over the diamond stones on the dre

e soft smell of shampoo that clung to her hair. "No

I won't be there to always te

my eyes. "I'll just have to remember what you

y convinced. "Promise

ighter as if she could anchor me a

quisite decorations, and laughter. Music swelled

as ten years o

uccess to every mother. But to me, all that polish felt

his gaze lingered on me. Not in a way

tiful tonight Elena." He s

you," I

ble to keep their eyes off

response to that so

ds turned in our direction

smile. I could survive just this o

I could do was follow him around, smiling

some drinks at the bar, an

t it, eyes...

fted acros

here

son

der. Eyes harder. And still som

left m