|Carmella|
I let out a deep, frustrated sigh as I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The sun was already sinking low in the sky yet my parents still hadn’t left the estate. I had half-expected them to slip away quietly after breakfast, avoiding any further confrontation—especially with me. For a brief moment, I dared to hope that their silence meant they’d forgotten everything we discussed during their arrival, that they had finally accepted I was serious about not wanting to be entangled in their old schemes, their outdated plans.
But deep down, I knew better. I should have known they wouldn’t give up so easily.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door creaked open, and Janina stepped inside. I caught her reflection in the mirror as I continued brushing my hair,
