I woke up with a bright smile, though my chest felt heavy, as it always did. The sunlight streamed through the massive windows of the mansion, painting the room in a golden glow, but the beauty of it only reminded me of how empty it all felt. I pushed the thoughts aside and decided to focus on the day ahead. It was my first day at the new job, and for once, I wanted to feel like I was doing something for myself—something that wasn’t tied to him.
I slid out of bed, my bare feet touching the cool marble floor as I made my way to the adjoining bathroom. The cool splash of water on my face felt refreshing, grounding me, and I took a moment to stare at my reflection in the large, ornate mirror. My eyes held a quiet determination, and I gave myself a small nod. “You’ve got this,” I whispered, a
