Catherine winced as a sharp sting shot through her foot the moment she stepped onto the floor the next morning. Looking down, she caught sight of the bandage and let out a shaky breath. The memory of the previous night came rushing back—the shattered plate, the cold command, and the glass that had sliced into her skin while she was on her knees. She had cleaned and dressed the wound herself before finally falling into an exhausted sleep.
She stared at her foot for a long moment before forcing herself to stand. She moved with a pronounced limp, hobbling toward the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. Once finished, she grabbed her first aid kit, sat back on the edge of the bed, and carefully replaced the bandage, making sure to disinfect the cut to prevent any infection.
When sh
