CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Sun, 25 Aug 2024 23:26
Ava woke up with a dry throat, the cool night air in her room doing little to quench her thirst. She blinked in the darkness, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Sliding out of bed, she grabbed her robe and quietly opened her door.
The hallway was filled with a soft, warm light that spilled from the rooms below. As she made her way down the stairs, the distant sounds of activity reached her ears—voices murmuring, the rustle of fabric, and the occasional burst of laughter.
She reached the landing and paused, looking out over the scene before her. The grand foyer was a hive of activity. Everyone seemed to be caught up in a whirlwind of preparations. Garlands of evergreen were being draped along the banisters, their rich
