Suddenly, there's a rapid, urgent knock on the door. Hope surges within me, but my heart sinks when I realize it's not Howard. He wouldn't knock; he'd simply enter. I hurry toward the door, and the guards cautiously check the intruder before granting them access. My disappointment is palpable when I see Damon enter.
Damon's concerned expression only deepens my anxiety. My immediate thought is of Howard. Is something wrong with him? Why isn't he with Damon? Is Damon here to deliver bad news?
"Where's my husband?" I demand, my voice quivering as I attempt to maintain composure. Damon approaches slowly, seemingly cautious of my fragile state. "Nora..." he begins, but his words trail off.
"Damon, where is Howard?" I repeat, this time with a steely tenacity to get answers. My heart races as
