After dinner, Emma Hart finished her milk and returned to her room. Damien Sterling was at his desk, poring over documents. Usually, as soon as Emma entered, he would look up and urge her to take a bath, but today he kept his eyes on his papers, treating her as if she were invisible, which left her feeling quite out of sorts.
Fortunately, Emma was self-aware and promptly took her bath, then settled herself in bed to foster some affection with it, eager to avoid any petty quarrels with Damien.
Soon after, Damien also turned off his desk lamp and lay down beside Emma.
"Why are you acting so strange tonight?" Emma asked.
"Am I really being strange?" Damien replied.
"Very strange! You didn't even glance at me when you came back, and you kept staring at Mrs. Harris and the food for a long time." Please, Mr. Sterling, that's really not normal.
