chapter 66

As Sorin walked away, Drea felt a mix of relief and anguish swirling inside her. She hadn't meant to pry or upset him, but her nerves and confusion had gotten the best of her. Now, standing alone in the garden, she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady her trembling hands and racing heart.

"He hates me," she whispered to herself, the weight of her situation crashing down on her shoulders. "Why wouldn't he? I'm just a burden."

She walked aimlessly through the garden, the serene beauty of the flowers and the soft rustling of leaves offering no solace. Every step felt heavier than the last as if the ground itself was pulling her deeper into despair.

Back in the house, the evening continued with forced pleasantries and strained conversations. Drea struggled to maintain composure, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She caught glimpses of Sorin through the evening, always distant and aloof, a stark contrast to the fantasies she had nurtured about him.

As the night wor