Tatiana sat up slowly in her bed, her back resting against the pillows. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she wore nothing but her nightdress. Her hands were restless. She kept biting at her nails as her mind ran wildly.
Her eyes were sharp, filled with unease. She whispered to herself, her words trembling but cold.
"I have to do something. I have to get rid of her quickly, before he finds out I hid her letters. If I don't act now, they might reconcile. If they do… then all of this will be for nothing. I cannot allow that."
Her breathing quickened as she thought. She pulled at her nails, biting harder. Her voice grew harsher.
"I won't let her have him. I won't let Lydia win. I have come too far. I have sacrificed too much. She will not take him from me."
She pressed her hands against her chest and shut her eyes for a moment. Then, suddenly, her lips curved into a smile.
"I know what to do," she whispered.
