“I saw a picture of you in it on Ethan’s computer,” she said.

“The color goes perfectly with the whole look of our engagement party, right?”

She wanted me in the professional photos.

She wanted me color-coordinated and standing next to my son in front of all her friends.

The request sounded so wonderfully normal.

“I’d be glad to wear the blue silk dress,” I said.

Vanessa beamed and clapped her hands softly together.

“I only want us to be a real family, right?” she said.