not sleep

distant hum of the mansion settling into silence. The walls were painted a soft lavender, a

like a stra

d softly on the

m the hospita

dectomy. Need an e

at up in

ed out of the room without turning on the light. The hallway was dark, and t

ticed her

-

elled of antise

knew exactl

. Her hands were precise, and her mind focused. Hours passed without her notici

ng physician said, removing his

replied, exhaustion fe

wasn't given out of obligatio

erating room, her

, it was

are you

message for a long mo

the ho

se came im

morning. Don't forget

ers curled ar

nsibi

her pocket and walked out

-

mansion later that afternoon

Regina stepped inside, her bag slung over one shoulder, and immediately notic

mach ti

sound of voices t

ttentive. Sasha was beside them, radiant in a pale

ng in fron

stopped

all and broad-shouldered. His posture was relaxed

dn't see

d when he noticed Re

to glimpse the smooth line of his jaw-and the

eath h

t him. It

r father continued. "Assist

d tangled toget

his head polit

dded stif

lize some preliminary arrangements

e," Regin

he doorway, obser

briefly-curious, assessing-be

" Gustav said evenly. "The engagement will be a

" Regina's moth

ely after the marriage," Gustav replie

ered for just a fr

a not

e?" Sasha asked,

tav said. "

d settled in

his eyes met Regina's again.

hool," he said, more s

na replied

ured. "You don't look like

respond, he nodded

closed with q

-

overheard Sasha c

g by when she heard the muffled sobs and t

an't marry him. Everyone says he's cold. That

xing. "This marriage will secure everythin

Sasha sobbed. "I ca

n in the hallway,

he hea

pa

er now. "If you won't, then

ay, her pulse ro

to her room before

e from h

o the stu

screen, dread tight

terrible

ever truly been her home, wa