MALIA
I blinked myself awake. I hadn’t even remembered falling asleep again.
Isabella silently moved around the room, cleaning it, like someone raised in a world where silence and precision were the rules. Noticing I was awake, she gave me a gentle smile and then continued to work quietly.
She had that quiet, elegant way of existing that made me feel like I was suddenly in a Jane Austen novel — or maybe a mafia version of one.
I forced myself to sit up, ignoring the sharp protest from my side. I blinked a few more times and then added, “How’s the history project coming along? I think you mentioned it earlier…”
“Going fine. I think you’ll be happy with it. Definitely won’t hurt your grade,” she answered, dusting off the massive bookshelf, filling one wall of the room.
“I’m sure it’s g
