⸻
The master bedroom had never felt this eerily quiet.
Regina sat at the edge of the bed, half-dressed in a robe, her fingers tracing the edge of the silk sheets. The silence of the room clawed at her ears.
Daniel.
His mouth on hers.
His body pinning her to the door like he needed her just as much as she did him.
And then… nothing.
No words. No goodbye. He had gone to the east wing and hadn't surfaced since.
She wasn't sulking. Not really. Just thinking. Strategizing. Maybe sulking a little.
She made her way downstairs eventually, ignoring the echo of her loafers on marble, and slid into her usual seat at the breakfast table. Margaret, who had worked in this house longer than anyone should willingly choose to, poured coffee with the same quiet grace she always did.
"Sleep well, ma'am?" Margaret asked, tone light as she set a china teacup in front of her.
