I couldn't stop staring at the dress.
It lay on the table like a silent message.
Beautiful.
Expensive.
Threatening.
“You can wear the dress, but you will never replace me.”
The words echoed in my mind.
“She's trying to get into your head,” Adrian said.
I didn't look at him.
“It's working.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Don’t let it.”
I left out a small laugh.
“That's easy for you to say.”
“No, it's not.”
I finally turned to him.
“You don't understand what this feels like.”
“Then explain it.”
I hesitated.
Because putting it into words made it real.
“It feels like I'm being watched,” I said quietly.
“Judged.”
“Measured.”
Adrian’s gaze didn't leave mine.
“And?”
“And like I'm losing.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Adrian’s expression shifted.
Slightly.
