Hailee POV
"Please send each video to them tomorrow… not today," I whispered, my heart breaking.
Lila nodded quickly, her own eyes brimming with tears. "I promise," she murmured. Her throat bobbed as if the words burned inside her.
I turned away, unable to face the agony etched across her face. My hands shook as I pushed myself up from the bed. I reached for the small pile of folded clothes on the chair and began to change.
The soft rustle of fabric filled the silence as I slipped out of my old clothes and pulled on the dress I had chosen. It wasn't anything extravagant—just a simple navy-blue dress that fell to my knees, its sleeves brushing lightly against my arms. I smoothed the fabric down my front, swallowing against the lump in my throat. In the mirror across the room, my reflection looked back at me: pale, tired, broken…
Behind me, Lila's voice wavered. "You look beautiful, Hailee… but I wish it wasn't for this reason."
