The days were starting to blur together. I woke up every morning in that big, quiet guest room, stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, and tried to remember that this was my life now. No more waking up to Isadora’s sharp voice or Natalia’s mocking laughter.
I got dressed in simple clothes again and went downstairs for breakfast. Lucian was already at the table, like he had important meetings ahead. He didn’t look up when I sat down, but I could feel him noticing me.
Mrs. Hale brought breakfast. I picked at my food quietly for a while before Lucian finally spoke.
“I think I would need to tell you the rules again, no disobeying me again,” he said, his voice flat and serious. “I meant what I said yesterday. Stay out of my west wing… and you will join me for dinner every evening. No excu
