The storm that had gathered over the estate the previous night left behind a gray morning, damp and cold. Catalina stood by the kitchen window, her fingers wrapped around a mug of untouched tea. Her thoughts were heavy, scattered like the raindrops on the glass. She barely slept after what happened in the study. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Frederick’s face, the confusion in his eyes, the way he had looked at her as though his heart recognized her even when his mind refused to.

She took a deep breath and set the cup down, her hands trembling slightly. She needed to focus. There was still so...