~Sophia
The gentle hum of the air conditioning mixed with the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall as I dozed in Nathaniel’s massive, luxurious bed. The soft sheets cocooned me, lulling me deeper into the rare calm I’d felt in recent days. Nathaniel’s scent lingered on the pillows, soothing and comforting.
Then the sharp buzz of my phone on the nightstand pierced the silence, jolting me awake. I groaned and reached for it, the light from the screen momentarily blinding me. It was Martha.
"Martha?" I croaked, my voice heavy with sleep.
"Sophia, it’s Lily," she said, her voice trembling. "She’s not feeling well."
I sat up immediately, the drowsiness evaporating. "What do you mean she’s not feeling well? What happened?"
"She’s been crying all day," Martha explained, her w
