Chapter 26. Unveiling Confidence

Anastasia's POV

Ryan, I hadn't seen him since the first night, and I felt both relieved and sad about it. I missed his company, and the memory of our conversation echoed in my mind from time to time, like a sweet, persistent echo. This made a feeling of longing appear that I didn't want to feel, especially with the challenge approaching so soon. The loneliness, mixed with anxiety, often made time drag when I wasn't focused on my studies. Every minute felt like an eternity of uncertainties. Was he mad at me? Disgusted by me?

"Good morning, Miss Anastasia!" Flora declared cheerfully, entering my room early, bringing with her the soft morning light filtering through the tall windows, flooding the room with a golden glow.

"You can call me Ana, Flora," I calmly asked, stretching before getting out of bed. The softness of the linen sheets seemed to want to keep me in bed, offering me brief comfort before the start of another day fu