The golden warmth of the morning sunlight slipped softly through the gaps in the heavy velvet curtains, casting long shadows across the floorboards as Elena slowly opened her eyes. She lay still for a moment, her breathing gradually stabilizing, before sitting up carefully. A dull residual ache throbbed behind her temples from the memory lapse the day before, making her slightly dizzy.
Elena glanced around the vast, quiet master suite before letting out a self-deprecating sigh. She felt a heavy pang of guilt in her chest; she had already caused more than enough trouble for this family since her arrival. The absolute last thing she wanted was to play the frail patient and worry them even more.
Determined to shake off the lingering fatigue, Elena carefully swung her legs out of bed, steady
