Maya's POV
My reflection gazed back from the ornate mirror, a woman I barely recognized wearing deep burgundy silk that hugged every contour of my body. The dress Sebastian and I had selected during our trip to Tranquil Port transformed me into someone who might actually belong in this world of wealth and privilege.
"You're absolutely radiant," Penelope breathed, materializing beside me in the mirror's surface. Her navy dress featured a plunging neckline designed to captivate Dominic throughout the entire evening.
"Thanks. You're stunning yourself." My fingers trembled as I touched one of the ruby earrings Sebastian had presented earlier, ancient treasures from the Sterling vault. "Am I being too much? These earrings feel..."
"They feel like exactly what they are: precious family heirlooms worn by Sebastian Sterling's wife." Penny moved closer, smoothing an errant curl behind my ear. "Stop making yourself smaller. You have every right to be here, same as anyone else."
