Ella’s POV
The morning light spread across the room, but it didn’t reach me. I had stopped counting how many days I had spent in this same space. I think three full days if I'm counting, My back hurt from lying on the same side of the bed, and my legs felt like they didn't belong to me.
Mary was supposed to be back. She had promised to find a way, to get the key, to help me leave this place. But the hours kept passing, and no sound came from behind that door except the steady footsteps of the maid who brought my meals.
Every time the handle rattled, my chest tightened, only for my hope to sink again when I realized it was not Mary.
I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the tray of food left for me that morning. I hadn’t eaten much these past few days. I didn’t have the strength to.
