THIRD PERSON'S POV (NARRATOR'S POV)

Rhea was quiet.

Too quiet for someone who was meant to walk into a room later tonight and own it.

She sat at the edge of her bed, one heel on, the other forgotten somewhere near the door. Her dress...that perfect, shimmering bronze piece she'd had altered twice — hung off a hanger like it was waiting for her to decide if tonight was worth it. If any of it still was.

Rohan’s voice kept replaying in her head. "Do you really think any ...