Meret woke earlier than she expected, though the light spilling through the curtains suggested she had already overslept. She moved slowly at first, blinking against the brightness, until her body forced itself into motion. She showered, dressed, and tidied her bed, but even with all that done, she couldn’t bring herself to step outside her room.

Her chest felt heavy. Maybe it was dread. Maybe it was the thought of facing her uncle and the conversation she knew was waiting somewhere between ...