[Flashback]
Thunder cracked through the clouds, jolting Anna awake. Her eyes fluttered open as the steady rattle of rain against the window filled the silent room.
"What time is it?" she murmured, blinking at the dim glow of the clock on the wall.
Half past eleven.
Her chest sank.
She remembered Mariam telling her that Daniel would be returning home tonight — and like every other time, she'd prepared dinner, waiting with quiet hope that maybe this time would be different. That maybe he'd show up.
But the untouched dishes on the dining table told her otherwise.
"Maybe… like every other time, he changed his mind," she sighed softly, her voice carrying a trace of disappointment she didn't bother to hide.
She stood, brushing her hands over the tablecloth to steady herself.
"Madam—" Mariam started, taking a tentative step forward.
"Ask the maids to take the food back," Anna interrupted gently, not turning around. "I don't think your master will show up tonight."
