MIGUEL'S MANSION
Elizabeth, was sitting at the dining table with a half-finished cup of tea and a book resting open but unread in front of her. Her thoughts had wandered far from the pages—too far to make sense of the lines she kept rereading.
The sound of the doorbell broke her daze. She blinked, glanced toward the clock, then stood and made her way to the door.
When she opened it, she was slightly taken aback to find Ash standing there.
“Ash,” she said, blinking. “Hi.”
“Hello, Elizabeth,” Ash greeted, her expression cool as always.
They exchanged a polite hug—awkward but familiar. Elizabeth stepped aside, motioning for her to come in.
“Come in. Miguel just stepped out a moment ago. You just missed him,” she said as she closed the door behind her.
“I know,” Ash replied calmly. “
