Maria woke the next morning feeling drained and heavy with thoughts. Her body moved on autopilot as she walked to the bathroom, her mind spinning with everything she'd overheard the night before.
She was still in the bathroom when she heard a knock on her door.
Startled, she quickly finished what she was doing and rushed out.
Just as she was nearing the door, another knock followed—this time with some soft mumbling.
She opened the door fast.
Standing in front of her was the oldest maid in the house, her face stiff with urgency.
"Good morning, Miss," the woman said briskly. "I've been asked to inform you that your attention is needed in the living room immediately."
Maria blinked, caught off guard. Her brows furrowed slightly as she tried to make sense of the request.
"My attention?" she asked. "Who's asking for me? And do you know why?"
