I felt calmer while I prepared breakfast, my confidence was returning. I had half-worried that Tess would force herself awake all night. Especially when I’d heard her shuffling around the east wing. I found her sleeping peacefully though — her heart rate had been a little higher than I would’ve anticipated, but that could’ve been due to whatever she was dreaming. I also found the missing box of protein bars and felt relief that she was eating something, even if it wasn’t much.
Now, sausage sizzled in the pan, the coffee machine bubbled. I had to show her I cared. I had to show her that this arrangement benefited us both. Her door opened, and I heard the soft tread of her footsteps coming closer to the kitchen. I expected the questions to start immediately. I knew she wouldn’t be passive,
