Elena's Point Of View

I didn't even bother changing into anything fancy. I was already exhausted from the performance I had to put on just to breathe inside this house. I pulled on a silk robe over my nightwear, tied it tight at the waist, and brushed my hair back into a sleek bun. Nothing extra. No makeup. No jewelry. No mask. Just me. The barest version of the woman they all loved to mock.

My slippers clicked softly against the marble as I made my way downstairs. The air was thick… no ...