Chapter 198

• VALENTINA
• I stood alone in the private dressing room on the second floor. Sunlight poured through the tall windows and lit up the emerald green gown that now hung on the central rack in its finished form. The tailors delivered it early that morning. I stepped forward and ran my fingers along the smooth fabric. The lace at the shoulders felt delicate yet strong. I lifted the gown from the rack and held it against my body. The color brought out the green in my eyes exactly as Gustavo said it would. I turned slowly in front of the mirrors and watched the skirt flow around my legs. The dress no longer felt like something borrowed. It felt like it was made for the woman I was becoming inside these walls. The ball was now only seven days away. The thought settled in my chest with a mix of steady calm and quiet excitement.
• I stepped behind the tall screen and slipped into the gown. The fabric hugged my waist and fell perfectly to the floor. I zipped it up and stepped out onto the platform once more. I studied my reflection from every angle. The neckline sat just right. The train moved softly when I took a small step. I felt powerful in the dress. I felt seen.