The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.
Sofia was with Rosa for the night. Elena had made the excuse casually—"I have some work to catch up on, Mama, would you mind?"—but Rosa had seen right through her. The knowing smile, the squeeze of her hand, the whispered "Be happy, mija" before she'd left with Sofia.
Now Elena stood in her bedroom, heart pounding, running her hands over the dress she'd chosen. Simple. Blue. The one that made her feel beautiful. She'd changed three times before settling on it.
She was nervous. More nervous than she'd expected.
Alexander was in the living room, waiting. He'd brought wine, flowers for the table, a small stuffed animal for Sofia that he'd left on her bed. He'd been patient all evening—during dinner, during the walk around the neighborhood, during the lo
