They didn't let me out of the dress.
"Styling now," the consultant said, tone already practical. "Hair, makeup. We confirm everything today in proper light. Better here than rushed on the morning."
My mother looked startled. "Today?"
Evelyn nodded, delighted. "Of course today. We'll have the pictures before the week takes over."
Adrian said nothing. He took a small sip of water and set it down.
"We'll keep you in the gown," the consultant said to me. "Camille will handle hair and makeup inside. Then we move to the photo room."
"Okay," I said.
The curtain closed.
Camille arrived with her case and positioned me toward the light. She had the calm of someone entirely unimpressed by beautiful things because she had helped create them every day of her working life.
She began with the ba
