I left work early, got my hair done, and wore the navy-blue dress Austin once said made my eyes look bright. I even bought a new lipstick, something soft and pretty, not because I needed to impress strangers, but because I wanted to feel like myself again.
Before I left the house, Emma looked up from the couch and smiled.
“Mom, you look beautiful.”
Noah, who was ten and usually allergic to compliments, nodded seriously. “Dad better bring flowers.”
I laughed, but deep down, I hoped he would.
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