The shrill sound of her alarm breaks through the stillness of Marilena's bedroom, a sharp reminder that Sunday morning has arrived. For a few moments, she lies there, blinking sleepily at the ceiling and considering shutting her eyes just a little longer. The weekend has drained her more than she'd anticipated. Between the tense dinner with Christian's family and the emotional whirlwind that seemed to follow her since, all she wants is to pull the covers over her head and retreat from the world for a few more hours.
But the insistent alarm reminds her of her commitment to church, and with a sigh, she reaches out to silence it. She stretches, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep, then pushes herself upright, taking in the dim light filtering through the curtains. Slowly, she slides her feet into her slippers and stands, the coolness of the floor beneath her a bracing wake-up call.
