The bathroom door creaked open slowly. Celine stepped out with the last of her strength, nearly spent. Her eyes were red and swollen, framed by dark circles that emphasized her suffering.
Inside the spacious bedroom, Maria stood waiting, her face pale. She held a silver tray carrying a glass of water and a single, small white pill that looked starkly bright under the lamplight.
"Miss Celine, you must take this pill immediately," Maria said softly as she approached. Her voice trembled, betraying a deep sense of pity.
Celine froze. She stared at the tiny object with a hollow gaze, trying to process the situation while her head throbbed with a dull, aching pain. "What medicine is that, Maria?" Celine asked in a faint voice that was nearly swallowed by the silence.
Maria looked down, not daring to meet Celine's shattered eyes. "It is emergency contraception, Miss. To prevent pregnancy. Master Leo ordered me to ensure you take it right now."
