Annie nodded faintly, unsure of how to feel about this sudden attention. She had never been one to accept help easily, especially not from strangers, and the idea that Henry had arranged for someone to cater to her needs—when she’d barely spoken to him—felt strange. But she didn’t have time to dwell on it. Catherina was still watching them both, her eyes like daggers, her fury palpable.
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” Annie said quietly, her voice soft but firm, addressing Thalia but glancing briefly at Catherina. She didn’t want to be coddled. She didn’t want the kind of attention that felt like pity. She just wanted peace.
Before Thalia could respond, Catherina stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor, each step calculated and deliberate. “I wil
