𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗘 // 𝗖.𝗙

𝓓𝓲𝔃𝔃𝔂

THE MORNING sun streams through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the bustling scene. Conrad stood by the counter, a picture of domestic bliss, as Sylvia walks in, her hair a tousled mess she quickly gathered into a ponytail.

"Hey, good morning." Conrad greets, his voice laced with affection.

"Good morning." Sylvia replies with a small smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

She took a seat next to Jeremiah, who was engaged in a comical battle with his cereal, trying to catch rogue pieces in his mouth.

"As a cure for your headache." Conrad announces, placing a bakery box in front of Sylvia with a flourish. "I went out and brought your favorite banana nut and chocolate chip muffins."

Sylvia's eyes lit up as she eagerly opens the box, the aroma of warm muffins filling the air. She plucks one from the box, its warmth still radiating through the paper, and took a bite.

A delightful sigh escapes her lips. "They're amazing, Con. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, beautiful. Anything for you." Conrad replies, leaning in to place a tender kiss on her lips.

Sylvia savors another bite of her muffin, breaking off pieces for Beau and Jeremiah, who watched her with eager eyes.

Despite the deliciousness of the muffin, a persistent pounding in her head lingered, the cause of which remained a mystery.

"Oh, Belly." Susannah says, noticing the girl as she walks into the kitchen. "You should get going. Oh, and everyone, stay out of the family room. All your paintings are done. I just need to do some final touches on Sylvia's, and that's all. Tonight, after the ball, we'll have a big unveiling. Can you put that in Laurel's car, honey?"

Sylvia hands Susannah her favorite picture of herself, a sense of unease settling in her stomach.

She didn't feel comfortable sitting for Susannah, the bruises from that night a visible reminder of her vulnerability.

Jeremiah, with Beau's enthusiastic approval, was tasked with taking Belly to the ball. "Yeah, yeah."

"Hurry, hurry." Susannah urges Belly, her energy infectious.

"Aren't you driving me?" Belly asks her mother, a confused expression on her face.

"I'm going over with Susannah, so I thought your sister could take you, but she's not feeling the best, so I decided that maybe you could drive yourself." Laurel explains, holding up her car keys.

"Seriously?!" Belly exclaims, her voice loud enough to make Sylvia groan into her muffin.

"It's only a few blocks." Laurel says in a low tone. "Unless you don't want to?"

"Yes, yes I do want to!" Belly replies, snatching the keys from her mother's hand.

"Drive slow, obey the lights, wait four seconds at each sign." Laurel rattles off, her motherly instincts kicking in.

"I know. I know." Belly says, rushing out the door.

"We'll see you at the club in a few hours!" Susannah shouts after her.

Sylvia groans loudly, her head threatening to collide with the counter. Conrad, ever attentive, placed his hand on her forehead, gently stopping the impact.

∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎∞︎︎

Sylvia sat at her vanity, the soft glow of her laptop screen illuminating her face. Tonight was the night of the Debutante Ball, but her mind was elsewhere.