528: Shadows of the Past

Anna's reaction to the dress was telling, her eyes reflecting a tumult of fear and memory that Emma couldn't ignore. Despite Emma's encouraging words, it was clear that the garment was a trigger for Anna. "I think this dress would be stunning on you, but if it makes you uncomfortable, let's find something else," Emma said, her voice soft yet cheerful. "You have the kind of look that's hard to forget. Clarke Zodiac always did have a type, didn't he?" Anna managed a small, strained smile. It was common knowledge that her stay with Clarke Zodiac had been prolonged not just for her beauty but because she bore a striking resemblance to the woman Clarke Zodiac couldn't forget. And now, with Emma's presence, it seemed Clarke Zodiac's attentions were dangerously shifting once more. Emma continued to sift through the racks, her selections growing in number, each piece more vibrant and beautiful than the last. Anna, growing more anxious by the moment, finally grasped Emma’s arm, stopping her