A Familiar Rival

Steam curled in thick, fragrant ribbons through the expansive, dimly lit bathroom of Isla’s private executive suite. The sharp, soothing scent of vervain hung heavy in the humid air, masking the lingering smell of antiseptic and old paper that clung to her clothes from the corporate archives. She sank slowly into the scalding water of the oversized porcelain tub, letting the heat swallow the deep,