Elena sat up, her apprehension slowly replaced by curiosity. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders like a shield and walked to the table. Mr. Hugo had prepared a simple breakfast: warm bread with butter and honey, and a bowl of fresh fruit. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was thoughtful.

“Thank you,” she whispered, unsure of how much gratitude to show or how much distance to keep.

Mr. Hugo nodded, taking another sip of his tea. “I know this arrangement is difficult for you,” he began, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity. “I won’t pretend that I can replace what you’ve dreamed of in a marriage. But I promise to respect you and ensure you’re comfortable. We have time to get to know each other.”