Resilient Anna

The day was warm but carried a sense of anticipation. I had been pacing around the mansion since morning, preparing for Alice's visit. My grandmother, who had shown me nothing but kindness, insisted on meeting Alice, the one friend who had been there through the worst of times. It felt surreal, bringing Alice into this space that had seen so much of my suffering, and even more so to have her meet Samuel again—my tormentor, my husband, in name only.

Alice arrived just before sunset, her hair catching the last rays of light. As soon as she walked through the door, I felt a wave of relief and anxiety all at once. She greeted me with a tight hug, her smile reassuring. "You look tense," she whispered, pulling back to look at me closely.

"I’m just… it’s complicated, Alice." I looked away, not sure how to explain the tight knot in my chest.

Alice gave a small nod, her eyes scanning the room. "I’ll handle it," she said simply, a spark of determination in her voice. And just like that, I knew