Mathilda’s POV

I woke up to the bright glow of the ceiling lights, the room bathed in white. Night had already fallen.

Reaching for my phone on the pillow beside me, I saw the time—8 p.m. I’d been asleep for more than ten hours.

My body felt lighter than it had in the morning, the pounding in my head mostly gone. I stretched my arms, turning to my left, expecting to see the quiet, empty room—

Only to let out a startled scream when I saw Fredric sitting silently by the bed, staring at me with a serious expression.

“KYAA!”

I immediately clamped a hand over my mouth, my heart racing. Fredric didn’t flinch. He just kept his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on me.

I scrambled upright and bowed my head in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fredric. You startled me—I didn’t mean to shout.”

“Sit down,” he said calmly. “Maybe I’m the one who should apologize for showing up like this. I’m… confused, Mathilda.”

The way he said it—it shocked me. His voice sounded weary, almost gentle.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fre