Thalia adjusted the strap of her dress one last time in front of the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a softness she almost didn’t recognize. The short pink gown hugged her figure delicately, the silk fabric catching the glow of the bedside lamp and the color made her skin look brighter, she slipped her feet into nude heels, slim and sleek, and reached for her clutch.

The house was quiet. The twins were asleep, their small breaths a faint symphony in the background of her ...