ELISABTH PUSHED open the door to the suite, her heart pounding with apprehension. The soft click of the door closing behind her sounded unnervingly final. The spacious room, which was supposed to be a sanctuary, felt like a cage. Vane stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the city lights outside. The atmosphere was thick with tension, an invisible force pressing down on her.
"Where have you been?" Vane's voice was low, dangerously calm.
"I was out for a walk," Elisabth replied, keeping her tone steady. "I needed some fresh air."
Vane turned to face her, his eyes cold and calculating. "A walk? For fifteen hours?" His gaze bore into her, searching for cracks in her story.
"I lost track of time," she said, rolling her eyes and forcing a casual shrug. "It was nice to be alone for a bit."
