Cristine stood in the garden, her hands buried in the cool earth as she tended to the flowers and herbs she had come to care for. It was her way of finding solace, a moment of peace amid the growing storm inside her.
She wiped her brow, exhaling deeply as the rich scent of the soil calmed her nerves. It had been days since she spoke to Vanessa, but the conversation still echoed in her mind. The reality of her situation, the delicate balance she was trying to maintain between duty and emotion, felt more fragile than ever.
Suddenly, the tranquility of the morning shattered. The sound of heavy footsteps behind her made Cristine’s heart pound. She turned to find three men standing at the edge of the garden. Their eyes were sharp, their postures predatory, and Cristine felt a chill run down h
