Chapter 36: The Burden of a Slave

I stood before the mirror, staring at my reflection, sighing heavily at the sight of my weary face. Dark circles lined my eyes, and my skin seemed dull—another reminder of the miserable ordeal of my period. I shoved my soiled clothes into a small black bag I found lying in the corner of the bathroom, my mind buzzing with frustration. Exhaling deeply, I braced myself and stepped out of the bathroom. The fleeting moment of solitude had ended. "Finally... I thought you were planning to stay in there all day," Rose's voice cut through the air the moment I entered the sitting room. She sat on the couch, her arms crossed, an expression of annoyance stamped across her face. Opposite her, Nick sat watching me with a concerned look, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. The moment our eyes met, he stood up, his gaze asking the unspoken question—"Are you okay?" I gave him a small nod, hoping to convey that I was fine, even though I was far from it. The cramps were just starting, a warning sign that