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The silence was apparent, but it was nothing compared to my heavy breaths and racing heart. I hadn’t even run.

It made the butterflies in my stomach more obvious. With each of our meetings, they were becoming stronger on top of the urge that burrowed into my system, which riled a hunger that didn’t crave blood. I don’t know how much longer I could withstand it.

There wasn’t much space between us, but Alek closed whatever distance there could be as he lowered his head to my ears, “Will I see you tonight? For our swimming practice.”

“That depends.” I raised my head, his clashing eyes darkening until they were black. “Are you ready to swim in the dark?”

A grin hinted through his lips, his fangs apparent. The sight of it made the hunger grow. “With you, always.”

Low giggles escaped us. He was never this vocal inside in the open, where his brothers could be roaming. He was blossoming little by little, and it warmed my chest.

With that, he blurred upstairs, right as Ms. Hoko entered with a round platform. I took it away before she could take another step, the weight settling on my shoulder. It wasn’t as hollow as I expected.

“I hope your choice of attire corresponds with your silent movements.”

When I laid the platform down, Ms. Hoko didn’t waste any time. She was quick to measure every inch of my body. It hadn’t been my first time attending an event like this, but it sure was the first one I had to attend with a proper dress. Typically, for parties I was working, a blazer did the job. This wasn’t the party for that. Honestly, it fit Lace and Lorenzo more than me.

They were the talkative ones, thriving in building connections. I didn’t like them because they were always too shiny and super loud. The fact I also had to conform to appease others was overwhelming.

I shrank at parties. I already did enough of that withher.

Ms. Hoko noted each of the measurements against her skin. She brought out a book and ripped out pages, placing them across the table.

“Although I do like a minor challenge, I’m afraid I can’t go above and beyond since I’m swamped with the boys. But I have a few gowns that are sitting and waiting for the right owner, Miss. . .”

“Eli,” I said as I stepped off and stood next to her. “Katerina is fine, though.”

“I think Miss suits you better,” she said with a wink.

I studied the photos that rested beside rough sketches. The pages were detailed with pieces of fabrics and colors. Minor descriptions about the dresses and suits were scribbled on the sides, including the different trials it took to assemble the pieces. It was like a messy scrapbook.

While the dresses were beautiful, none of them seemed to fit me. Some were too glitzy, and others exposed more than I liked. Until a picture caught my attention.

It peeked through the ends of the pages, and I swiftly tugged at it without a second thought. The edges were burnt, the colors faded, but the beauty remained.

A woman sat on an emerald couch, a burning yellow dress overflowing from the cushion to the ground. A couch that sat right in front of me. I brought the picture up to the light and noticed a familiarity of her facial features on the guys.

“Is this—”

“Where did you get that?” Ms. Hoko said as she walked closer. With her short arms, I was able to pull the picture away before she could yank it.

“It hid in your book,” I said, her dark eyes widening. “This dress is beautiful.”

“Yes, and it’s not an option, Miss.” She reached further and gripped the picture away from my fingers, her movements swift. “You can choose anything else in the book if you disliked the designs I sported, but this one sadly cannot do.”

“All of them are pretty,” I murmured, “but they’re not me.”

I’d constantly fought with my cousin about everything—my diet, my medication, my fighting style. Lorenzo wanted the best for me but did it to appease Lace.

I lived a life where everything was decided for me.Her. Doctors. Lace. Lorenzo.

For once, I wanted to make my own choice. I couldn’t let it escape from my hands when I barely held it.

“Why do you say so?” Ms. Hoko asked, tenderness warming her deep eyes.

“I can’t fit in even if I tried.” I was living a pretty lie to Lorenzo, to the world, instead of freely living as an ugly truth.

Alek’s words warmed my skin like a hug.