ike a cruel joke. She lay on the majestic bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Yesterday should have been the be

eplayed the events of the past days in her mind, searching for answers, for some sign that it

her thoughts. Slowly, she tu

id, her voice bare

a tray of food. Their expressions were neutral, almost r

one of them said curtly

tray for a moment, but the thought of eating made her st

ked softly, her voice t

them spoke. "The boss left early this morni

e her parents' death, to uncover the truth behi

lsa said firmly, pu

unusually sharp, "if you don't eat now, th

ed Elsa out of her daze. She sat up s

you eat," the maid continued, her voice ste

ed too much already-the grief, the confusion, the loneliness.

sa said firmly, her voice steady

crossed her arms, a defiant expression on

and picked up a plate of neatly arranged toast. Without hesitation, she threw

a commanded, her voice trembling wit

nce, and before Elsa could reac

" Elsa struggled, but her strength

st from the floor and shoved it toward

he tried to break free. She had nev

door opening made

s voice was calm but commandi

stepped back, bowing slightly. Elsa sank

rders," one of the maids said

crumbs on the floor, and Elsa's bruised wrist. He walked over to h

e said softly. "You're not

is face for some sign of compassio

inish, Liam stood up a

d, his tone firm but eerily

red at him in disbelief as he turned and left the

man she had trusted, the man who had promised to protect her, was slip