—Mabel—

I stood patiently in the grand foyer, waiting for Ruth to come downstairs.

The entire mansion was quiet.

The children were taking their siestas after a long day of playing with the newest member of the family. Fizzy was asleep too, snuggled in his small bed in their room.

Humming, I walked to the vanity in the foyer and studied my reflection once again.

For the party, I was dressed in an off-the-shoulder satin gown. The skirt flowed down in a graceful column, parting slightly at the ...