After breakfast, Raya retreated to the shared room she had with Adrian, hoping for a brief moment of rest. There wasn't much to do anyway, and the morning had left her senses frayed. Anna had insisted on going to work, muttering that the only thing that could steady her nerves was immersing herself in routine. Raya hadn't argued; she understood. Lucas had already left as well, leaving only Adrian, who had retreated to his study mid-breakfast, completely absorbed in whatever plans or work awaited him.
Raya stepped into the room quietly, expecting the peace she desperately needed, but the sight that met her eyes immediately stole her breath.
Priscilla. Adrian's mother. Sitting upright on the edge of the bed, hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes scanning the room as if assessing it, every inch the composed matriarch.
"Mom… what are you doing here?" Raya asked, forcing a polite smile, though her heart thumped with a strange mix of apprehension and annoyance.
