The car ride back to the house was filled with a comfortable silence, but it was also tinged with a bit of awkwardness. I was satisfied with the dress we had chosen—satisfied was actually an understatement.
The dress was stunning, and I couldn't wait to wear it. I glanced at Carmen, who was focused on the road, her expression as inscrutable as ever. It was hard to read her, to know what she was thinking.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a message from Isabel. I unlocked my phone and read:
"Hi Elena, I'll be bringing your new food regime tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you!"
I sighed, my contentment from the dress shopping tinged with the reality of the constraints that were now part of my life. I glanced at Carmen, wondering if I should share the message, but decided against it. The silence in the car felt delicate, like it could shatter at any moment.
"Is everything alright?" Carmen's voice broke the silence, her tone cool but polite.