Chapter 39 Napped

• Evangelina stood at the doorway, staring at the maid for a moment before speaking. "Can I... can I take a quick shower before I go to the garden?" she asked, her voice shaky.
• The maid looked uncomfortable, her eyes darting nervously down the hall. "He didn't say anything about that," she replied, her voice low. "But... I suppose it would be okay. Just don't take too long."
• Evangelina nodded, grateful for the small reprieve, even if it was brief. She closed the door behind her and walked to the bathroom, her legs feeling heavier with each step. The peace she had managed to carve out for herself over the last few days had crumbled in an instant. Aemilio was back, and she knew what that meant: more anger, more spite, more cruelty. Her chest tightened as she thought about the vile things he had said to her the last time they were face-to-face.