CHAPTER 58: Unspoken Moments

　　Each tick of the old clock on the wall echoed in the immense silence of the room, adding to my rising unease.

　　It had been about hours since I parted ways with Alexander, and even after my conversation with Julia, I still was at an impasse. The silence was oppressive, interrupted only by the rustle of traffic coming up from the cobblestone streets underneath.

　　The birthday dress that I had refused to wear, as a sign of resistance, now seemed like a cruel joke because once again it was a reminder that I was a fraud. Ava's measurements, which were clearly different from mine, and had been used to make this outfit caused my full breasts to nearly spill over, threatening to cause a wardrobe malfunction at any time.

　　The fabric, as beautiful as it was, did little to calm the prickles of discomfort that crawled up my skin.

　　Needing a distraction as I waited for Alexander and Vance so we could head to the gala together, I reached for Ava's diary once more.