53. Dinner Engagement

"Are you ready, Ma'am?" Mirabel’s voice came from the hallway as I finished applying the last touch of lip gloss. I gave myself a final glance in the full-length mirror, smoothing down the soft fabric of the emerald-green gown that hugged my figure perfectly. My hair was styled in soft waves, and the dress shimmered under the low light of the bedroom.

"Yes," I replied, hurrying toward the door, the sound of my heels clicking softly against the marble tiled floor.

As I stepped out, Mirabel’s eyes lit up. “You look absolutely stunning, Ma’am. Mr. Carlos won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

“Thank you, Mirabel,” I said, offering her a small smile. But behind my smile was a nervous tension building in my chest. The dinner tonight wasn’t just a simple event. It was something bigger—an opportunity, perhaps, to reshape the future or fall deeper into the chaos that had haunted us.

Kelly came rushing toward me in her pink dress, her little hands reaching out to grab mine. “Mommy, a