Anya woke up the next morning, the soft sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains. The vast, empty room seemed to echo her loneliness. She had spent the previous day exploring the mansion, its opulence a stark contrast to the emptiness she felt inside.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. A maid entered, bearing a tray of tea and pastries. "Mr. Damien has requested your presence in the study," she announced, her voice barely a whisper.
Anya's heart pounded as she made her way to the study. She found Damien seated behind his desk, his expression impassive.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, her voice cold.
Damien nodded, his gaze fixed on her. "I want to apologize for my sister's behavior. She can be... difficult."
Anya scoffed. "I'm sure she is. But perhaps you should try to control her, instead of expecting others to tolerate her rudeness."
Damien was taken aback by her sharp response. He had not expected such defiance from the usually submissive Anya.
"I apologize," he said, his voice softening. "I'll speak to her."
Anya merely nodded, her expression unchanged. She turned and walked away, leaving Damien alone with his thoughts. He knew that he had underestimated Anya. She was not the fragile, submissive woman he had initially thought her to be. She was strong, independent, and fiercely intelligent. And he was beginning to realize that she might be exactly what he needed.