Memories flooded her mind as she opened each bag: Mom getting dressed and styling her dark, glossy hair in her expansive bedroom up on the hundred and fifty-second floor of Aura Tower. Mom twirling in front of the floor-length mirror in the apartment’s entrance hall. Mom’s smooth, powdered cheek brushing against Ridley’s as she said goodnight before leaving with Dad for whatever event they were attending. Ridley could almost smell Mom’s perfume, could almost feel her arms wrapping around her.
“Ridley?” Meera asked again, and Ridley realized she’d been standing motionless with her arms at her sides, staring at the four dresses she’d revealed so far.
She inhaled deeply before clearing her throat. “Yes?”
“What about this one?” Meera asked, pointing to the bag she’d just opened. The gap in
