She had not worn something beautiful in so many years that she had almost forgotten she was a woman and not just a survival machine. Justin had spent years making her feel like any beauty she possessed was a burden or a distraction.
When she finally put the dress on she saw a woman who looked strong and capable of facing any storm. “Mommy, you look like a movie star!” Mason screamed when she opened the door.
“No, she looks like a queen,” Toby corrected while standing very still. Maxwell arrived a few hours later and he forgot to speak for a moment when he saw her.
“You look exactly like he hoped you would never look again,” Maxwell said with a quiet intensity. The white limousine arrived at the curb and the boys nearly jumped out of their skin with excitement.
They drove through the city while the twins pressed their faces against the tinted glass to see the palm trees. “Are we rich now?” Mason asked while looking at the leather seats.
“No, we are just being driven somewhere very important,” Maxwell answered gently. “Important is about what people protect while rich is just about what they can buy.”