29:I am better

"Naya, make sure these papers are finalized by tomorrow," Avery instructed, her tone crisp yet tired.

"Yes, ma'am," Naya replied, giving a polite nod before stepping forward to open the car door for her boss.

Avery slid into the backseat of the sleek black car with a sigh, loosening the button of her blazer as if hoping it would also loosen the weight pressing on her chest.

"Let's go," she told the driver, her voice softer now.

The car pulled away from the curb, gliding into the late afternoon traffic. Avery leaned her head back, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. The air conditioning was cool, the leather seats comfortable, but nothing could erase the weariness in her bones—or the restlessness in her heart.

How she wished she could go back to her real home. Her old room. Her own bed. But Silas had done such a brilliant job of convincing her father about their supposed "love story" that she could barely breathe under the weight of his lie.