I expected anger.
Disappointment.
Another lecture about appearances.
Instead, she just stared.
Because for the first time, she saw something she couldn’t control.
I wasn’t hiding.
“Where is your wig?” she whispered.
I looked at Chloe.
Then back at my mother.
“Ask your favorite daughter.”
My mother’s face changed.
Slowly.
“Chloe?”
My sister looked away.
“She needed to stop pretending.”
The words shocked even my mother.
“Stop pretending?”
Chloe crossed her arms.
“She’s making everyone uncomfortable.”
A strange calm settled over me.
Because that sentence explained everything.
Not just today.
My entire life.
They weren’t upset because I was suffering.
They were upset because my suffering interrupted the image they wanted to sell.
A knock came at the door.
The wedding coordinator stepped inside.
“Valeria, everyone is waiting.”
My mother immediately stepped forward.
“Tell them there will be a delay.”
“No.”
I answered before she could.
Everyone looked at me.
“I’m ready.”
My mother lowered her voice.
“Please don’t do this.”
I smiled.
“Mom.”
A pause.
“I spent eighteen months fighting to make it to this room.”
I touched the tiara.
“I’m not going to hide now.”
