|NEXT DAY, 3 P.M.|

BRIANNA

It was afternoon now. Mom and I had just returned from shopping a few minutes ago, and we’d also picked up her medication. Now, we were resting, while I anxiously awaited the arrival of the makeup artists. The closer the time drew for Mr. Adrian to pick me up, the more jittery I became, wondering what the gala would be like.

I went upstairs to take a quick shower before coming back downstairs to wait for the artists. I didn’t even realize when I dozed off on the ...