The room around her seemed to close in, the walls bearing silent witness to her inner turmoil. Every detail, from the intricate patterns on the wallpaper to the flickering candlelight casting shadows across the floor, felt amplified in her heightened state. The air was thick with the scent of lavender, a calming presence that seemed at odds with the disquiet in her heart.
Eloise moved to the window, the cool glass offering a momentary respite as she pressed her forehead against it. The gardens below were a riot of color, the flowers in full bloom, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within her. She watched as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, wishing her mind could be as easily swayed and soothed.
What just happened?
Eloise stood by the large, arched window of the opulent mansion, h
