Elena braced herself for the worst, but what she felt wasn’t the sensation of an unwanted touch. Instead, Mr. Hugo placed a thin, woolen blanket over her, ensuring she stayed warm through the chilly night. Confused and overwhelmed, she silently lay there, her mind racing with questions.

The room was silent, but her thoughts were loud and chaotic. Was this a trick? A delayed moment of vulnerability before he executed the expected demands of a new husband? Or was there a humanity in Mr. Hugo that everyone else had failed to see — one that she was only beginning to discover?

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.