~Joanna
The breakfast was nothing short of extraordinary. The croissants were impossibly light, their flaky layers melting on my tongue. The bacon was a perfect balance of crispy and savory, while the rich, velvety coffee wrapped around my senses like a comforting embrace. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to revel in the small joy of the meal, savoring each bite as though it could shield me from the storm brewing within.
As I set down my coffee cup, Grandpa Benedict dabbed at his mouth with a linen napkin. Rising from his chair, he fixed me with a gaze that held a mixture of warmth and sternness.
"Joanna," he said, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "Could you join me in my study?"
My heart skipped a beat. A million questions raced through my mind as I nodded and
