CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

VENITA:

I didn't need much convincing to go and rest. All the emotions that had burst out left my head pounding. Following a guard absentmindedly, I found myself in front of the guest room door. As soon as I stepped inside, I let my body slump to the floor, my face buried in my hands. Life seemed to always throw challenges at me without care whether I could handle them or not.

After some time, I gathered a bit of energy and dragged myself to the bathroom. It was pristine, everything neatly arranged—the towels and toiletries, a sense of order in the chaos of my thoughts. A good shower could be a sanctuary, promising relief from the burdens of the day.

The familiar sound of water rushing from the shower greeted my ears, and it felt like a refuge within those four walls, ready to wash away the grime of worry that clung to me. I turned the knob from cold to hot water, and the warm liquid streamed over me as if cleansing my soul from the day's burdens.

The water felt like a gentle caress