ent, squeezing tighter with every step I took. My worn shoes made little sound

warm light casting an ethereal glow on the patterned walls. Every surface shimmered with opulence, but beneath the gra

filled the space, each purposeful step a reminder of his authority. His back was straight, shoulders b

se. Days without proper food or rest had left my body trembl

elier's glow. The longer I walked, the heavier the air grew. It wasn't just the weight of wealth that made my chest t

clung to the corners of the hallways. Every step felt like I was walking through a maze, but unlike a maze, there was no escape her

e yet sure as he twisted it open. He turned back to me, his cold, steel-gray eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, I fel

g. His tone was a reminder that there was no room

ith a final glance, he stepped through the door, closing it behind him with a soft click

l, steadying myself. The marble was cold against my palm, a stark contrast to the heat coursing through my bo

g I stood there befor

've seen a ghost,"

us. She was older, with streaks of silver threading through her dark hair, which was neatly pinned

n screamed wealth and dominance, but this woman, her gentleness, her

e faltered, ba

ding smile. "It's alright. You don't

ore had worn kindness as a mask, hiding cruelty beneath. But something in her eyes, something unguarded, made me pause. I

king a cautious step clo

lt foreign

she stood patiently. The kindness in her expression didn't seem fake, yet the weight of the mansion and Loren

nt, her voice soft. "Let's ge

e seemed sincere, but trust wasn't something I could afford to give freely. Still, my body

y, I

. The mansion seemed to stretch endlessly, each corridor branching into more. The further we walked, the mor

topped in fro

r room," Anna sai

that it made the rest of the room feel secondary, like the space existed only to house the bed's opulence. A wardrobe stood to one side, its polished wood

ar too beautiful f

ide, gesturing

r hung in the air, mixing with the overwhelming sense of being somewhere I didn't belong. The room was warm, inviting,

said gently. "I'll brin

ve, but something

aid, my voi

d, looking

roat tightening around the word

ouldn't decipher. She took a careful step closer, her move

ace to say," sh

wer only fuel

d, my voice tremblin

y. It was as if she knew the answers to all of my questions but

tone careful, "is a complica

little comfort. Not c

n, her voice firmer this time. "Get

t of the room, closing th

, its warmth and beauty, felt like a mockery of the fear twisting inside me. The bed promised c

on heavy with unanswered questions. Why had he

armth turning suffocating. No matter how b

n't a sa

a gilde