Chapter 10
Nell changed after the engagement.
Not instantly.
She became suspicious of cameras.
Daniel came once to take a family photograph for my birthday.
The moment he raised the camera, Nell stopped smiling.
I noticed.
“Done.”
Daniel lowered it immediately.
Nell looked surprised.
“We’re not taking pictures?”
“Not unless you want.”
She thought.
Then:
“Can I make ugly face?”
“Yes.”
She produced something horrifying.
Daniel photographed it.
She laughed.
That became the first picture we kept after Marcella.
Not displayed publicly.
Nell kept it beside her bed.
A face nobody could use to prove perfection.
Good.
Weeks later she asked for another photograph.
This time with me.
She refused to smile again.
Fine.
I did too.
Two Mafia criminals? No, one Mafia boss and one four-year-old staring aggressively at a camera.
Beatrice called it terrifying.
May you like
Nell loved it.
Choice was returning through silly things.
