Time slipped by unnoticed. After finishing the final touches of her preparation, Phoebe stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror, her bright eyes carefully studying her reflection. She examined herself from head to toe, her slender hand instinctively brushing over her lower abdomen as she measured whether the subtle change in her figure remained hidden beneath the elegant silhouette of the custom couture gown.
"Darling, are you ready?" Mommy's gentle voice drifted through the bedroom door.
"Ah... almost, Mom! Just a few more minutes!" Phoebe answered quickly before panic tightened inside her chest. "Please... don't come in yet!"
The footsteps outside stopped.
Her heart skipped a beat.
If her mother entered now, everything would collapse. Zara was still inside the suite, having slipped in through the rear service entrance to help her prepare without anyone noticing. One unexpected glance was all it would take to expose everything.
