Page 47

For a heartbeat, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

She has my face. My blond hair, loosened from its knot and falling around my shoulders in messy waves. My blue eyes, wide and startled.

But the rest of her…

“Oh,” I whisper.

Hazel stands behind me in the mirror. “Yes.”

I lift one hand and touch the fabric at my waist. “I look…”

“Beautiful, Ella,” Hazel says. “The word is beautiful.”

14

NATHANIEL

The makeup artist is twelve minutes late. Annoying, considering what I’m paying.

I open the front door before he has a chance to knock.

“Mr. Vexley?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Matteo D’Aversa, hair and makeup.” He nods to the woman next to him. “Simone, my assistant. Manicurist.”

“I know who you are.” I step back and allow him inside. “You’re late.”

“Traffic on⁠—”

“I didn’t ask why.”

He nods, closing his mouth.

I look Matteo over. He’s young, maybe thirty. Well groomed, of course. Expensive shoes. Diamond stud in one ear. Simone is even younger, her hair colored pink and blue, and her nails…

Let’s just say she won’t be doing that to Ella’s nails.

“What I want is simple,” I say.

Matteo straightens. “Of course.”

“She’s not to look overdone.”

“Natural glam?”

I stare at him.

He clears his throat. “Elegant. Polished. Still like herself.”

“Exactly. No theatrical nonsense. No heavy contouring. Nothing that makes her look like she’s trying too hard.”

“Understood.”

“She’ll be wearing silver.”

He clasps his hands. “Then I’ll keep the face soft. Maybe a defined eye, but not too dark. Skin fresh. Lips⁠—”