Lara woke up early the next day, the soft morning light filtering through her bedroom curtains.
Tonight was the charity gala, and she needed to find something to wear.
It had been a while since she attended such a formal event. The last time felt like a lifetime ago, when she was still trying to play the part of Lucas’ wife in public. Most of her old gowns were gone, donated or left behind when she moved out. Right now, she didn’t have anything in her wardrobe fit for a night like this. She needed something new. Something that felt like her.
After breakfast, she took a quick shower and changed into a simple outfit. A black trousers and a crisp white top. She was halfway through blow-drying her hair when the sound of the doorbell rang out, sharp and unexpected.
Lara paused, frowning sli
