Enduring the sweltering summer heat, Ethan and I continued our work in the study.

Though we had started the day with a refreshing bath, it seemed futile; by midday, the oppressive warmth had returned, seeping into every fiber of my body. Why is it that women’s bodies seem more prone to heat than men’s? The excess body fat feels like a curse, amplifying the discomfort.

Still, the work needed to be done, and we pressed on, managing the steady stream of documents and tasks flooding in from across the estate.

"My... Father won’t be visiting Blackwood Manor this summer vacation," …