Maria sat alone in the room, her back against the headboard and her gaze fixed on the garden through the large window beside her. The sun filtered through the glass, casting golden streaks across the floor, but it didn't bring her any warmth.
Outside, under the wide shade of a tree, she saw Mrs Spencer and Mr Frederick sitting together, their heads close, engaged in what looked like a serious conversation.
She couldn't hear a single word from where she sat, but deep down, she was certain they were talking about her.
A tight knot formed in her chest as the weight of it all pressed heavily on her shoulders. She hated this feeling—being watched, studied, and monitored like a ticking time bomb. Her thoughts darkened, haunted by what she might become.
What kind of monster must I be… that they have to meet in secret just to talk about me? she wondered, her fingers curling into the fabric of her dress.
