#Chapter 40: I was aching for him

I woke to a fresh wave of disappointment in the morning, shivering awake in the cold, realizing as I came to consciousness that I was still alone. Before I could forget, I sat up and took another pill immediately. I took a bath next, letting myself soak in the lavender-scented, piping hot water until I felt alive again. I resolved to take my mind off Alexander today, and that meant getting out of the palace. I still hadn’t seen Grandfather since the day of the wedding, considering how my father had abducted me the last time that I tried to visit the nursing home. I felt fearful as I considered making the trip there once again. But I am not a person who makes decisions based on fear. I was not going to hide out in the palace for the rest of my life, and my father could find me anywhere. I could not let fear of him keep me from living my life. I got myself ready and called for a car to take me to town. And on the way out, I passed through the kitchen to collect a basket of asso