CHAPTER 17

The next morning arrived quicker than I expected. The sunlight penetrated through the curtains, resting its glow directly on my face. For a moment, I felt a sense of peace and quietness, but then the events of the previous night came rushing back.

I got out of bed and stretched my body like a baby, letting out a light sigh of relief. My body, although still sore, felt better after my brief relaxing routine.

Determined to face the day with a clear mind, I went into the bathroom, had a relaxing shower, and dressed quickly.

I stepped out into the living room, where I found Ethan and Matilda already up, sipping coffee and chatting quietly.

"Morning," I greeted them, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt.

"Morning, Lizzy," Matilda replied, smiling warmly. "How did you sleep?"

"Not great," I admitted, joining them at the table. "But I feel a bit better now."

Ethan poured me a cup of coffee and handed it to me. "We should start packing your things soon," he said. "The sooner we ge