#Chapter 23 - Something Gained

Stella After spending hours with Dominic in the mansion’s office, I found myself in the comfort of freshly washed and dried sheets in my designated bedroom. Sleep overtook my body almost instantly. My intense emotions from earlier in the day have made my body feel so tired. I woke up to the feeling of warm sunlight on my face. The curtains are drawn open and there’s a cup of ice water on the bedside table. A small note sits beside the glass and the writing is a beautiful cursive. We’re eating downstairs! Join us when you wake up! Mom A smile blooms across my face. I slip out of bed and walk towards the bathroom. The first that I see are the dark eye bags. That hang under my eyes. I splash some water onto my face and then dry it off, dipping out of the room, hoping that my face livens up. I quickly get ready, throwing on some of the spare clothes that hang in the closet, and quietly make my way down the wooden staircase. Some laughs are head from the bottom of the stairs. I