Colin's Madness, My Scars

The morning sunlight streamed through my bedroom window as I stood before the mirror, smoothing down the front of my cream-colored sundress. Today was special—a day I'd been planning for weeks. My parents were finally meeting Colin's family at Griffith Observatory, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

"What do you think, Mom?" I asked, turning to show off my outfit. "Is this okay for meeting the Wrights?"

My mother, Eleanor Gardner, looked up from her teacup with a warm smile. "You look beautiful, honey. That dress is perfect."

"Thank you." I adjusted my hair, tucking a strand behind my ear. "I just want everyone to get along. The Wrights are... well, they're different from us."

"They're just people," my father, Robert Gardner, said firmly from behind his newspaper. "And they're lucky to have a daughter-in-law like you."

I smiled at his confidence in me, but my stomach fluttered with nervous energy. Colin and I had been engaged for eight months now, but his family remained somewhat of a mystery. They were old money, powerful, and... different from my middle-class upbringing.

"Let's go over the plan again," I said, sitting down at the breakfast table. "We'll meet at the observatory at eleven. Colin said his grandfather might join us, but he wasn't sure."

"Is there something special happening today?" Dad asked, folding his newspaper. "Colin seemed awfully secretive when we spoke yesterday."

I shrugged. "He just said he wanted to make it memorable. You know how he is—always thinking about grand gestures."

Mom reached across the table to squeeze my hand. "Whatever happens, we're just happy to spend time with you. That's what matters."

I nodded, grateful for their support. They'd always been my rock, even when I'd moved to Los Angeles to pursue modeling. They'd taught me to be kind, to forgive, to see the best in people. Sometimes I wondered if I was too trusting, but today wasn't about doubts—it was about family.

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The Griffith Observatory stood majestic against the Hollywood Hills, its art deco architecture gleaming in the midday sun. We arrived fifteen minutes early, parking in the crowded lot and making our way up the winding path.

"Wow, Naomi," Mom gasped as we reached the observatory platform. "The view is incredible."

Los Angeles spread out before us like a glittering tapestry, the downtown skyscrapers piercing the horizon. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of eucalyptus and possibility.

"Isn't it amazing?" I said, linking arms with her. "Colin thought this would be a good place for everyone to get to know each other."

Dad wandered over to one of the telescopes, examining its mechanisms with curiosity. "This is quite impressive," he said. "They've done a wonderful job with these exhibits."

I checked my phone for the fifth time in twenty minutes. No messages from Colin. He'd been unusually secretive about today's plans, almost distracted when we'd spoken last night.

"He'll be here soon," I assured Mom, though uncertainty crept into my voice. "He's probably just