Chapter 19

• When I woke up that morning, it was already clear that I had lost a significant part of the day. My modest room in the Mancuso family's house in Tuscany seemed darker than usual, with the sunlight streaming through the wooden windows revealing that it was already past ten in the morning. The cell phone by my side confirmed what I feared: I was late.
• I jumped out of bed, making it creak under my hasty movements. My mind was in turmoil. I couldn't believe I had overslept. My worry was immense because I knew there was something important planned for that day. Quickly, I grabbed a suit and skirt set I found in the wardrobe and began to dress, doing my best to look presentable in a short amount of time.
• I hurriedly descended the stairs of the house, almost tripping over my own feet. My heart was racing, and my mind was anxious to find out what had happened in my absence. In the hallway, I found Aurora, the housemaid, who stared at me with disdain.