A knock sounded at Deanna's door, catching her off guard. She hadn't expected any visitors that day. Since her classes had been canceled, she stayed home to clean and sort things out, knowing she would usually come back late. This should have been her last year at university, the one she planned to finish alongside Harry. Now, that plan had been pushed back.

"Sorry for showing up like this—"

"Don't worry about it, Laura. Come in. I've been cleaning, so things aren't exactly in order."

"Thanks. I actually came with a purpose."

"A purpose?"

"Daniel handed me his card, and today we're going out together."

"So the family meeting's already set?"

"It is."

"Then I'll do what I can."

"I don't even know how to thank you, Deanna. After how things went the other night, and with you having to step away from school because of us... it means more than you think." She rested her hands over her stomach.

"It's nothing. I want to help. That baby you're carrying is going to grow up with great parents and a happy life. That's what matters."

"And they'll have a wonderful aunt too."

"An aunt who'll spoil them every chance she gets."

"Alright, let's go make good use of Daniel's money. We need something perfect for you."

"Give me a minute. I'll get changed first."

Stepping into those boutiques felt unreal to Deanna. Places like that had never been part of her world. Everything around her looked like something pulled straight out of a film, polished and distant. Even the lowest price tag matched what she earned over months. It didn't make sense to her. Did people really spend that much on a single dress? The thought alone made her uneasy. And it wasn't just clothing. Laura had already mentioned shoes, handbags, and even a salon visit.

Watching Laura move through it all made the difference even clearer. She paid without a second thought, as if it were nothing. One shop led to another, and the cycle didn't stop. Trying on outfit after outfit took up most of their time, and choosing between colors dragged on longer than she expected. The noise, the lights, the constant decisions—it all began to wear her down. This wasn't her world.

Everything she knew had always been simple. Her days were shaped by home-cooked meals, clothes passed down over time, and small gatherings with familiar faces. Her mother and grandmother raised her in the restaurant they ran, where the air carried the scent of cooking all day. That was where she grew up, surrounded by warmth and routine. After school, she spent her afternoons playing with friends in the park. Nothing about it stood out as unusual. Her teenage years followed the same path, filled with friends and occasional trips to the cinema. By 16, she had already started helping at the restaurant. A year later, she experienced her first relationship.

Now, everything had shifted without warning. She found herself standing in a place that felt far removed from anything she had known, and she wasn't sure she even liked it. The things that seemed to excite Laura didn't mean anything to her. Singing had always been the one thing that mattered. That was all she ever wanted—to stand on a stage in a respected theater and keep performing for as long as her voice allowed. Fame never crossed her mind, and money wasn't the goal. What mattered was sharing her voice. Every time she sang, something inside her came alive. In those moments, she felt at peace.

"This shade really suits you. It works with your hair."

Deanna blinked, unsure. "I don't get any of that, Laura, but I'll trust you."

A laugh slipped from Laura. "Good. Just leave everything to me. By the end of this, even Harry won't know who he's looking at."

Back at university, her instructors had been left speechless during her audition. No one expected that kind of voice to come from someone with her build. She reached high notes with ease and still carried warmth in every tone. From that moment, it was clear she had something rare ahead of her.

Everything changed once she stepped onto a stage. The cheerful girl people knew faded, and something else took over. Her stance shifted, her expression sharpened, and the energy she carried pulled every eye toward her. Each performance came from a place deep within her.

"I look like my great-aunt in this. She passed away years ago."

"You're being dramatic. It actually looks great on you... just maybe not what you'd usually pick."

"How much longer are we staying here?"

"We're not leaving until we find something that makes an impression. Though honestly, I think you've already made one on Daniel."

"Your brother-in-law doesn't react to anything."

"He's not that bad. He's just a bit..."

"Boring?"

"I'd call him formal. He carries himself like someone in charge, but there's also something about him that puts people at ease."

If she were honest, Daniel had caught her off guard. The man she pictured before meeting him didn't match the one standing in front of her that night. His age didn't show the way she expected. He didn't seem older, yet he didn't feel young either. He stood somewhere in between, settled in a way that felt complete. A trace of gray marked his temples, and most of what he expressed came through his gaze rather than his words. Laura's description fit. He looked composed, but there was something about him that didn't push people away.

If not for the way he spoke and how he insisted on getting his way, she could see why others would find him appealing. Still, there was something else she noticed but kept to herself. It might have been nothing, yet it felt real. A quiet heaviness seemed to follow him, like something unspoken lingered beneath the surface. Harry had told her enough about his past, so maybe that explained it.

"That's it. That one's perfect for you."

"You're sure about this?"

"I'm certain. How does it feel?"

"Like I belong on stage."

"Then we're done here."

"Finally. Can we go now? I'm starving."

"Alright. We'll grab something to eat, then pick up the rest."

As they stepped out, Deanna made a quiet promise to herself. The next time she saw Harry, he'd hear exactly what she thought about all of this.

Elsewhere, Harry made his way to Daniel's office. He needed to talk some sense into his brother before things got worse. Deanna might not back down, but that didn't mean she should have to deal with everything alone.

Inside, Susan was already there, questioning Daniel about what their mother had told her. After a moment of hesitation, Harry decided to lay it all out.

"Honestly, I've got two brothers who belong in an asylum. Both of you are impossible." Susan shot him a look. "Don't joke around. Is it true or not?"

"You know we didn't have much choice. That rule about appearances left us stuck, and she was the only one willing to help."

"She must care about you a lot to agree without asking for anything."

"That's just who she is. Which is why I'm asking you, Daniel... go easy on her, alright?"

"She doesn't seem like someone who needs that. She speaks her mind just fine. Maybe you should ask her to tone it down instead."

"We're the ones putting her in this position. She didn't have to agree. She's doing this for us."

"He's right. You should treat her better, Daniel."

"You're making it sound like I'm some kind of villain."

"No one said that... but you can be distant. And when you want to be, you can come across as... very condescending."

"I'm not like that."

Susan didn't back down. "You are, Dan."

With her on their side, things stood a better chance of working out. Even so, she still couldn't figure out how Daniel had agreed so quickly. It didn't seem like something he would normally accept. If a child was involved, that might explain part of it. Still, she felt there was more to it. She would find out soon enough when she finally met Deanna.

Daniel knew he couldn't walk into that family dinner unprepared. Before facing them, he needed to be sure the woman who would stand beside him could meet every expectation. He understood Deanna didn't move in the same circles he did. That didn't bother him, but it would matter to his family. They would notice everything.

With that in mind, he turned to Harry and asked him to let her know that he wanted to have dinner with her, just the two of them.

"Why don't you tell her yourself?"

"I don't have her number."

"You drove her home and didn't ask for it?"

"It didn't seem important at the time. Call her and tell her I'll pick her up at eight."

Going out to dinner wasn't new to him, and neither was picking someone up from her place. Still, as the evening approached, that same unfamiliar tension returned. It sat low in his stomach, just like the night they first met. Since they were heading somewhere formal, he chose a three-piece suit. The vest stayed, as it always did, giving him a look that set him apart without trying.

Back in her apartment, Deanna stood by the bed, looking at the dress Laura had chosen for her. She liked it, there was no denying that, but something about it felt overly formal. It didn't seem like the right fit for a simple dinner. Maybe Laura had misunderstood and pictured something more elaborate. Even so, the dress carried a refined look. It fell below the knee, modest and classic, the kind of piece meant for formal settings.

By the time she stepped outside, she waited near the entrance of her building. A quiet tension settled in her chest. She understood what this was. He wanted to see if she could play the part. The thought made her wonder what her grandmother would say if she saw her like this.

A small smile touched her lips.

She wore a coat over the dress, and at least the shoes didn't add to her discomfort. Her makeup stayed light, and her hair rested over one shoulder. The whole look felt restrained, almost understated.

After pulling up to the curb, Daniel stepped out of the car, and for a moment, he paused. What he saw caught him off guard. Laura had clearly put in effort to refine her appearance, but it went beyond that. Deanna didn't just look well-dressed. She stood there with a presence that drew attention.

"Deanna..."

"Hi, Daniel."

"Shall we?" He gestured toward the car. Then he moved ahead and opened the door for her.

Before leaving, Deanna had already prepared herself. She knew how he could be, and she decided she wouldn't react the same way as before. Sarcasm wouldn't help. Letting things pass would be easier. If they were going to spend a year like this, constant conflict wasn't an option.

Once inside, he tried to start a conversation. "How have you been?"

"I've been fine. What about you?"

"Fine."

That was it. The silence that followed stretched longer than he liked. Normally, he didn't mind quiet, but this time it felt different. He wasn't sure how to continue.

"Harry mentioned you work at your family's company."

"Yes, that's right."

"And what about you? What do you do?"

"I handle operations and take care of the company's major decisions."

That didn't help the situation. Daniel realized his responses sounded too clipped, but he didn't know how to stretch them further. He had always kept things direct. It worked for him, but now it only made things awkward. That same uneasy feeling crept back in.

Turning her attention away, Deanna looked out the window. Maybe it was better to let things settle on their own. At some point, something would come up, or they would simply sit through the evening with nothing much to say.

When they reached the restaurant, she took it in with a quiet pause. The place felt far removed from anything she was used to. Everything about it spoke of refinement, more than she was comfortable with. A hint of nerves set in. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to act in a setting like this. Laura had gone over a few basics, but she still expected to slip up. Most of her meals were quick and simple, grabbed near the university.

As Daniel stepped ahead to speak with the host about their reservation, someone approached her quietly.

"May I take your coat, miss?" For a second, she didn't react.

"Oh, yes. Of course. Thank you." He took the coat from her with ease.

The manager stepped forward next. "If you'll come with me, I'll take you to your table."

As Daniel turned to follow the host, his gaze landed on her, and he stopped for a brief moment. The dress revealed most of her back, the fabric dipping low enough to trace the line of her spine. It wasn't excessive, yet it was enough to catch his attention. What held his focus even more were the small freckles scattered across her skin.

They made their way through the dining area, and he quickly noticed the looks they drew. A few people greeted him once he met their eyes, while others exchanged knowing smiles. It irritated him. The table was set across the room, which meant nearly everyone had watched them walk by.

Once seated, Daniel asked for the wine list and made the selection without consulting her. Meanwhile, Deanna took in her surroundings. The atmosphere felt refined but calm, the kind of place that kept voices low.

"That dress..."

"Laura picked it out. Is there something wrong with it?"

His tone stayed even. "The back is more open than what's appropriate for a place like this."

"I'm sorry. I followed her advice. I didn't know what to choose. I've never been somewhere like this before..."

"It's not a bad dress. It looks good... but it drew attention."

"You mean people were staring at me because of it."

He corrected her without pause. "They noticed the dress." He didn't mention what he actually saw.

She gave a small, uncertain response. "Alright..."

A brief silence followed before he added, "Either way, it's better to avoid dresses that show that much."

"Alright, then I won't wear something like this again."

"That's not what I meant. You can wear it, just not in places this crowded."

That only left her more confused. When exactly would it be acceptable, then? The way he explained things didn't quite add up. Still, he was talking more than before, and that counted for something. She just hoped he wouldn't pick apart the rest of her appearance as the night went on.

As the meal continued, the conversation settled into something lighter. They talked about her time at university and what she planned to do after finishing. The upcoming family gathering also came up, along with where it would take place and who would be there. At one point, he asked whether anyone from her family would attend. She answered without hesitation, saying they lived too far away.

Things remained calm until dessert was served. That's when he noticed her. A few tables away, Lynda sat with her sister. Out of all nights, they ended up in the same place. She was the daughter of one of his mother's friends, someone who had shown interest in him before. She had known about his children and didn't mind. He had turned her down, politely but clearly.

On their way out, he chose to stop by her table.

"Daniel, it's been a while. How are you?"

"Lynda."

"I didn't expect to see you here tonight."

From where she stood, Deanna watched the exchange. It didn't take much to notice that Lynda paid little attention to her. Daniel didn't add anything else, as if he wanted to keep the moment short and move on. That didn't seem to be Lynda's plan.