After an unforgettable evening pulsing with laughter, warmth, and the kind of chaotic joy only family reunions could bring, the house had finally quieted down.
One by one, doors clicked shut, voices faded, and the estate settled into a hush broken only by the distant wind rustling through trees and the creaking of old wooden floors.
Due to limited space within the estate compared to the number of visitors present, the family and friends had to compromise their privacy to accommodate one another.
Some family members slept in pairs while others were lucky enough to get one room to themselves.
Others, like Sarah, were not so fortunate. Her sanctuary of solitude was sacrificed, replaced by the soft but unmistakable snore of her mother sleeping beside her while her brother shared a room with their father,
It was nearly midnight and the world was already asleep. But Sarah didn't.
