Staying Up With Her

Despite Mrs. Harris' creative efforts to prepare sleep-inducing meals for Emma Hart every day, Emma herself consumed very little, thus hardly benefiting from these specially prepared dishes. 

The following day, Emma Hart found herself lying in bed early again, devoid of any trace of sleepiness. 

Damien Sterling had grown accustomed to Emma's condition, visibly anxious yet his face betrayed no concern. 

Beside him, Emma Hart tossed and turned restlessly, her agitation palpable.

Damien Sterling got out of bed, walked over to where Emma lay, and bent down... Emma Hart reacted with alarm, her hand shooting out to the edge of the bed as if to struggle. 

"Don't move," Damien's deep voice commanded, right next to Emma's ear. 

This man always had his way, his words were law, leaving no room for Emma to refuse or react; he made decisions on his behalf, arbitrarily.