Chapter 62. Unexpected Visitor

Alison’s POV

The sunlight filtered through the thick Crimson curtains of my new bedroom, casting streaks of gold and red on the floor. I stirred, half-lost in dreams of simpler times, but the muted hum of activity beyond the door reminded me I wasn’t at home at least, not the one I’d come to know with Xander months ago.

A quiet knock startled me fully awake. The sound was gentle yet deliberate, signaling the start of another unfamiliar and unpredictable day in a place that was supposed to be my own.

Slipping out of bed, I threw on a cozy sweater over my pajamas and tied my hair into a loose ponytail. Despite the grandeur of my surroundings, I craved simplicity, something grounding in the midst of everything swirling around me. As I stepped into the hallway, I was greeted by the soft murmurs of the staff bustling about.

“Good morning, Miss Maureen,” one of the maids said, offering a warm smile as she passed by with an armful of fresh linens heading for