STILL sitting in a corner of the cold, expansive room, Orlanda's knees drawn up to her chest. The events of the previous night still weighed heavily on her, leaving her emotionally drained, plus that morning. She barely noticed the creak of the door opening until Nurse Margaret's familiar face appeared, her expression carrying a mixture of concern and weariness.

"Orlanda," the nurse whispered as she hurried over, a tray of food and medication in hand. She knelt beside Orlanda, her eyes soft with empathy. "I'm so sorry."

Orlanda looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Seeing the nurse, a strange comfort washed over her, though it couldn't extinguish...