The shower had been nothing short of perfect. For a blissful few minutes, Merlina let herself melt beneath the cascading heat, steam curling around her like a private cloud.
The shower head was wide and massive pouring down in a steady rush that felt less like water, more like standing beneath a hot, gentle rain. The kind that didn't ask questions. The kind that washed everything else away.
But of course, the peace didn't last.
Just as she reached for her towel, a soft beep echoed from the wall panel. Then another. Low and rhythmic.
Merlina frowned.
She padded closer, towel wrapped tightly around her chest, hair still wet and clinging to her shoulders. She pressed the glowing button once, but nothing. It beeped again.
She tried swiping to the manual settings. The interface blinked, then froze. Another beep.
