"I hope so, but I can't," Melania murmured flatly, her eyes fixed on nothing in particular. "But that's great, Aunt Valeria—at least Iris will finally get her degree."
Her voice carried no emotion, her face an unreadable mask.
Valeria shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond to her niece's growing strangeness.
A few minutes later, Iris entered the room, her steps quick and cheerful. She carried a glossy shopping bag in her hands.
"Melania, I bought something for you! I hope you'll like it!" Iris said, her tone bubbling with excitement.
Melania's eyes flickered briefly with curiosity. When Iris pulled a delicate dress from the bag, Melania's lips parted in a rare smile. She slipped into the dress almost immediately, smoothing the fabric down her figure.
It fit her perfectly—too perfectly. The skirt hugged her frame like she had been sculpted for it.
"How do I look?" Melania asked, twirling slightly, her hands holding the edge of the skirt.
