Lila
The knock came before sunrise. Three soft raps. The last ringing with a finality that made my stomach lurch.
I sat up too quickly, heart already pounding. The room was still dark, the sky outside my window just beginning to pale at the edges. I’d barely slept, still dressed in the gown from the night before, creased and uncomfortable. My eyes burned.
He’d read the letter. That was the only explanation, wasn’t it?
I scrambled to fix my hair, splashed cold water across my face, and changed into something simple but respectful—a long charcoal-blue dress with lace at the cuffs. My hands shook as I buttoned the front, but I forced them to stay steady.
This is it. I’ll either be kicked out, or forgiven… or killed. That last thought brought a surprising calmness with it that I didn
