Elena drifted in and out of restless sleep, the anxiety of the unknown hanging over her like a storm cloud. Yet, Mr. Hugo remained on his side of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance and allowing her the space she so desperately needed. As the first light of dawn streamed through the thin curtains, Elena opened her eyes, greeted by the soft grays and blues of morning.
She turned quietly, half expecting Mr. Hugo to be awake and watching her. Instead, she found him sitting at a small table by the window, deep in thought. He was sipping from a steaming cup of tea, the aroma of mint filling the room and mingling with the fresh morning air. He noticed her stirring and gave her a gentle smile, one that reached his eyes and softened the lines on his face.
“Good morning, Elena,” he said, his voice carrying the same calmness she’d noticed before. “I didn’t want to wake you, so I made breakfast. There’s tea for you, if you’d like.”
