125 Meanwhile The Drama

Camila

Staying at the Morosov estate was like living on the edge of a knife, a constant tension that weighed on my chest every second of the day.

Every step I took felt wrong, as if any small misstep would shatter the fragile peace.

The new rules General Sergey enforced at breakfast the day before haunted me—Madam Melania’s icy glare, the way her lips thinned in displeasure. I knew, deep down, she would never forgive what had happened.

Even though General Sergey insisted I should join them for meals, telling me not to worry, I couldn't bring myself to do it.

The idea of sitting across from Madam Melania, feeling her cold eyes on me, was unbearable.

So, for every meal after breakfast yesterday, my mother took Katya to the dining room, I found a way to slip away, to make myself disappear. It was safer that way.

I didn’t want to upset Madam Melania any more than I already had by just existing, and the staff—once indifferent—had grown sharp and hostile since the General had imposed his n