Elena
Sleep was a stranger that night.
I'd tossed and turned on the bed over what felt like a thousand times, staring at the ceiling. Sophie was fast asleep beside me, teddy tucked in her arms. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. That first moment when our eyes met at the gala, that impossible mixture of coldness and recognition in his.
Morning finally came, my eyes were heavy, and I felt like I hadn't slept a wink.
I stood in front of the mirror, holding up an outfit, then another. Nothing seemed to work. Everything felt too formal, too personal, too much.
I finally settled on a white blouse and grey pants that looked formal enough.
“Mommy, you look beautiful,” Sophie's voice piped from the doorway.
I turned, forcing a small smile, she stood there in her nightie, clutching her
