The book was open to a page she hadn't seen before. Or maybe she had seen it and skimmed past, too overwhelmed by all the rest.
To reveal inner light,To shine with honest might,Let all who see you knowThe radiance you show.
A glamour. Not a disguise—an enhancement. The text described it as "revealing one's true essence" and "projecting confidence naturally."
Cassie thought about walking into that office. About Dana's smug face. About her boss who never remembered her name. About feeling invisible for years.
She thought about Liam's words:You're still trying. That counts for something.
Maybe she could try a little harder.
The spell looked simple. Safe. Just a small boost to help her feel more like herself—the self she used to be before Derek convinced her she was too much.
Liam's voice drifted up from downstairs: "If you're thinking about casting something, don't."
How did he?—
Right. The binding. He could feel her magic gathering.
"I'm just reading!" she called down.
"Cassie."
She closed the book. Definitely not casting anything. Definitely not going to boost her confidence with a tiny, harmless spell while he couldn't stop her.
Definitely not.
She waited until she heard the shower turn on.
Then she opened the book again and read the words aloud. Carefully. Pronouncing each syllable the way the guide suggested.
The magic rose in her like champagne bubbles—fizzy and golden andalive. It tingled through her veins, sparkled behind her eyes, made her skin feel like it was humming with possibility.
She looked in the mirror.
Her eyes were brighter. Her skin glowed with health. Her hair fell in perfect waves. Even herposture was different—shoulders back, chin up, taking up space like she had every right to it.
"Oh," she breathed. "Oh."
This was what magic was supposed to feel like. Not chaos and sparks and accidentally kidnapping handymen. This wascontrol. This waschoice.
This was Cassie Morgan, finally visible, finally radiant, finallyenough.
The shower shut off.
She quickly closed the book and tried to look innocent.
The glow, unfortunately, did not get the memo.
Work had beenincredible.
Cassie floated through the office like a woman who'd finally figured out the cheat codes to life. People looked at her. Actuallylooked. Not through her, not past her—ather. The receptionist complimented her skin. Her boss remembered her name on the first try. Dana, who'd been stealing her ideas for three years, actually asked for her opinion in the meeting instead of just taking it later.
She'd felt visible. Powerful. Like she was finally taking up the space she deserved.
The glow had faded slightly throughout the day—dimming from "ethereal goddess" to "really good skincare routine"—but she could still feel the magichumming under her skin. Warm and golden andhers.
She was still riding that high when she pulled into her driveway.
