Salena sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, the silence of the room pressing in around her like a thick fog. Her fingers twisted the edge of the blanket, her mind a mess of memories and emotions she couldn’t escape. Finally, as if compelled by something deep within, she swung her legs off the bed and rose on unsteady feet.
The floor felt cold beneath her as she walked barefoot across the marble tiles toward the washroom. The dim golden light cast shadows across the walls of the mansion—the same walls she once called home. Now they felt like strangers closing in on her.
She entered the washroom and turned on the tap, letting the water run for a moment before cupping her hands beneath it. The splash of cold water hit her skin, jolting her senses. Again and again, she splashed her fa
