Irina sat quietly in the parlour of her new manor. The soft golden light from the lamps made the room warm, but her heart was not calm. She kept her eyes on the wide window where raindrops slid slowly down the glass. The sky outside was dark and heavy, and the endless sound of falling rain filled the silence.
Her fingers played nervously with the edge of her shawl. She was trying to appear calm, but her face betrayed her. Her lips were pressed together, her brow tight, and her eyes full of hidden pain.
The door opened gently. Damir walked in, his steps steady but his gaze immediately caught his mother's expression.
"Are you okay, Mother?" he asked softly, standing near her.
Irina nodded quickly. "I am."
But Damir tilted his head and studied her closely. "I know you," he said with quiet certainty. "You aren't. What is it?"
