Nora did not leave the salon happy.
She left with a refund, photographs, a written summary of the complaint, and an appointment with Ana early the following morning.
That was enough to get her through the door.
At home, she stood in the bathroom and examined the uneven section under brighter light.
Ben stayed outside until she asked him to come in.
“I keep thinking I should have noticed sooner.”
“You told her clearly.”
“I saw the phone.”
“You thought a professional was doing her job.”
She leaned against the sink.
“I feel ridiculous. People have real problems.”
Ben considered that.
“Someone deliberately changed something about your body after you said no. You’re allowed to be upset.”
Nora looked at him in the mirror.
He had not made the problem larger than it was. He had simply stopped making it smaller.
That evening, her sister arrived with dinner and a bag of hair accessories. She spread them across the table, then put most away when Nora became overwhelmed.
“We only need one plan.”
They called Ana together. Nora described the comb and sent a photograph.
Ana suggested bringing it in its protective box.
Later, Nora unwrapped the tissue and held the comb against her palm. One small pearl sat slightly crooked. As a child, she had thought that imperfection made it easier to recognize in wedding photographs.
Her mother had never repaired it.
Nora touched the pearl with her fingertip.
She could still use this.
Kelly had changed the hair around it. She had not changed what it meant.
Before bed, Nora checked the written confirmation from Marissa. She replied with two requests: no footage posted, and no further contact from Kelly.
Then she put the phone away.
For the first time all day, she let someone else carry the practical details.
Ben brought her tea.
Her sister checked the wedding bag.
Nora slept badly, but she slept.
