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I didn’t look long.

Just long enough to see the dress settle over the places that didn’t look quite right. The pull of the fabric over my hip. The way the hem fell—long enough to cover the worst of it. I’d chosen it for that. I had to.

The other Daughters had cried getting dressed tonight. Mel’s hands had shaken. Haven had gone quiet in a way that meant something. Even Vivienne had pressed her lips together when she thought no one was watching.

I just felt… nothing.

No.

Not nothing.

Something quieter than that. Something that’d stopped asking a long time ago.

I reached for the gloss. Smoothed it on. Put the cap back carefully with fingers that didn’t grip like they used to. Looked one more time.

Practical, I told myself.

That’s all.

It was easier that way.

I reached for the flats next. Soft soles. Silent when I walked. I brushed my hair once more. Tried to look like I belonged in this moment. Like they needed me here.

Then I stopped.

Because that wasn’t true.

This wasn’t for me, was it?

The house was emptying fast. Four cars already gone. Two remained. Mel stood waiting, biting her lip, her hands twisting together when she saw me.

“You ready?”

I nodded. “Always.”

It wasn’t true. But I said it anyway. I took her hand and stepped outside.

The night air hit cold against my skin. My body tightened as I climbed into the back seat. I pressed myself against the door, fingers gripping the armrest harder than I meant to.

Vivienne slid into the front. “Slower with this one,” she said quietly to Colt.

A single nod and the car pulled away.

Mel’s grip tightened around my hand.

“Mel.” I winced. “You’re hurting me.”

“Sorry.” She let go immediately, turning to the window.

The city swallowed us slowly. Trees turned to buildings. Silence to noise…and dark to neon. Everything closed in and by the time we stopped, it was fully dark.

The club loomed ahead. No sign. No music spilling out. Just a barrier. Closed for Private Function. I stared at it. We weren’t guests were we? We were the function.

Colt stepped out first. Vivienne followed, opening my door and offering her hand.

“Try to enjoy yourself tonight,” she said softly. “For me at least.”

I gave her a small smile. Took Mel’s hand and stepped onto the black carpet. The doors were already open. Waiting. The room wasn’t dark like I expected. Soft white light spilled from the floor lights illuminating the way.