Mira's lips trembled—was she about to cry?
No, she couldn't. Her makeup would be ruined. As she tried to steady her breath, Lily, always attentive, noticed her distress and gently took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze.
"Mira, it's fine. I promise," Lily said, her voice soft but firm, grounding Mira in the moment.
The tension in Mira's chest eased a little, and she offered Lily a small, grateful smile. It was such a simple gesture, but those words carried weight, bringing her back to reality.
"Now, let's go to the car," Lily added, her smile warm and reassuring.
As they stepped outside and into the car, Mira remained quiet, her mind spinning with everything that was about to happen. The chauffeur drove silently along the open road, and though the world outside seemed calm, Mira's thoughts were anything but. She sat next to Lily, her hands nervously resting on her lap, fingers lightly tapping as if trying to dispel her anxious energy.
