Chapter 148
Annalise
The warm water dripped down my skin as I reached for the cloth and scrubbed my face again—harder this time, as if I could erase the exhaustion, the anger, the sheer weight of what I was about to do. But no matter how much I rubbed, I still felt tainted.
With a slow, measured breath, I reached for the mask and secured it back over my face, its familiar weight settling against my skin. A barrier. A shield.
It was the only thing keeping me safe.
Or at least, keeping my identity hidden for now.
The door creaked open, and the maids returned, their steps light and purposeful as they moved toward me with bundles of silk and delicate fabrics draped over their arms.
"Time to make you beautiful," one of them cooed.
As if I were not already dressed for s*******r.
I kept
