Chapter 28 - Natalie got engaged.
We went wedding dress shopping on a Saturday. Clara, now three, sat on a velvet stool, critically judging every dress with a tiny thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
"What about this one?" Natalie asked, stepping out in a massive tulle ballgown.
Clara gave a vigorous thumbs-down.
"Harsh," Natalie laughed.
We drank champagne. We celebrated.
"Are you going to marry Mark?" Natalie asked later, while we were looking at veils.
The question hung in the air.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "We haven't talked about it. We're just... living."
Natalie looked at me through the mirror. "You're happy."
"I am."
"I never thought I'd see you this happy again, Luce."
"Me neither."
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I didn't need a ring to prove I was safe. I didn't need a legal document to know Mark would show up when he said he would.
We were building a life inch by inch. No rush. No rescue. Just steady, quiet love.
