Christina stood near the door gathering her purse.
"Remember the wig," she said brightly. "It's more acceptable."
I wanted nothing more than to reach out and snatch her blonde locs from the root. Using her hair to make the very wig she insisted on me wearing, but I stopped myself. simply nodded.
"Well," she continued, "I'll see you before the ball."
The moment the door closed behind her, the entire house seemed to exhale. Maria turned slowly toward me. "You need to tell Mr. Sterling about her."
I blinked. "About what exactly?"
She crossed her arms. "That woman has a crush on your husband."
"How do you know?" I laughed. "He's completely oblivious to it."
"That doesn't mean you should ignore it."
I shrugged. "It's not a big deal."
Maria stared at me in disbelief, her face incredulous as if I had just said the sky was green. "She spent the entire evening criticizing your body and telling you how to style yourself."
"She was trying to help." I forced the words out, not believing them for a second.
Maria made a noise that clearly communicated she did not believe me.
I sighed, leaning against the wall. "I don't want to make it a thing."
"You're his wife," Maria said firmly. "It is already a thing."
Maybe, but I still shook my head. "I don't want to come across as... problematic. I already don't get along with his mother."
Maria's expression softened slightly. "You're still allowed to have boundaries."
"I know. I won't see her unless there's an event anyway, so it's fine for now."
Maria looked unconvinced. "Alright."
My phone vibrated softly against the vanity table.
I glanced down, half expecting it to be one of my sisters flooding the family group chat again. Instead, Callahan’s name lit up the screen.
I’ll pick you up in three hours.
A small smile crept onto my lips before I could stop it. I turned in my chair just as Maria was stepping out of the room, her hand already reaching for the door handle.
“Maria,” I called.
She paused, turning back with the polite attentiveness she always carried. “Yes, Mrs. Sterling?”
I waved her over, excitement bubbling in my chest. “You’ll never guess what I did yesterday.”
Maria raised a brow but stepped closer. “Should I be concerned or impressed?”
“Both,” I said brightly.
She folded her hands in front of her apron. “That’s never a comforting combination.”
I leaned forward conspiratorially. “I bought a supermarket.”
