A Moment of Peace.

Annabella stepped the grand staircase slowly. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air.

As she neared the dining room, her stomach rumbled.1 What if he was there, waiting? The thought of facing Andrew again after everything that had happened last night made her chest tighten. She wasn't ready—not yet.

But when she stepped into the dining room, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. The long table was set for two, but Andrew wasn't there. The chair at the head of the table—the one he always sat in—was empty.

Annabella blinked in surprise. He's not here?

The maid, who was busy arranging the breakfast dishes, noticed her hesitation and gave a polite nod. "Mr. Brown has already left for the office, Miss Rose." 

 "He's gone. I can eat in peace".

For the first time since she had arrived at the villa, she felt a small sense of relieve. No Andrew, no cold stares—just quiet. She wouldn't have to endure the uncomfortable silence, or feel his eyes on her, waiting for her to make a mistake.

She took her seat at the table, trying to ignore the pain in her stomach. The spread before her was great—fluffy scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, croissants still warm from the oven, and perfectly made coffee. It was the kind of breakfast she had only seen in magazines, far removed from the simple meals she was used to.

This is how the rich live every day, she thought, her fork hesitating over the eggs. Everything is just… perfect.

 And yet, here she was, eating a breakfast prepared by chefs, sitting in a mansion, all because of a contract she hadn't fully understood when she signed it.

Her stomach twisted at the memory of Andrew's words—You're mine now. The deal was supposed to be for her mother's surgery, but now it felt like more than that. It felt like she had given up her freedom, her control over her own life. And for what?

But, for now, Andrew was gone, and the silence in the room felt like a small victory.

 Annabella took a deep breath and allowed herself to focus on the food. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was until she took her first bite. The eggs were light and fluffy, seasoned perfectly, and the fresh fruit was sweet and ripe. The meal was delicious, and for the first time in what felt like days, she felt a bit of calm settle over her.

As she sipped her coffee, her thoughts drifted back to the events of the past few days. Everything had happened so quickly, and she still felt as though she was being swept along by a current she couldn't control. From her initial meeting with Andrew to the contract she had reluctantly agreed to, it all felt like a blur. A dangerous, disorienting blur.

What am I supposed to do now? she wondered, gazing out of the window . The sunlight showed in, casting a warm glow over the room, but it did little to ease the unease in her chest.

She had never imagined her life would turn out like this—caught in a world of luxury and manipulation, tied to a man like Andrew. And yet, her mother's health depended on this arrangement. It was the only thing keeping her grounded, the only reason she hadn't run the moment she had the chance.

As she continued eating, Annabella let her mind free. For a few minutes, she allowed herself to pretend that this breakfast was just that—a normal, peaceful meal. No strings attached, no contracts looming over her, no cold, controlling CEO watching her every move.

She finished her meal slowly, taking the last few bites of fruit and the final sip of coffee. When the maid came to clear her plate, Annabella smiled politely, thanking her quietly.

The maid gave a respectful nod and asked, "Will you need anything else, Miss Rose?"

Annabella shook her head. "No, thank you. That's all."

With the breakfast cleared away. Annabella stood from the table, smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress.

"One day at a time, she reminded herself". Just take it one day at a time.