The following days felt like an uneasy calm before the storm. Kezia knew better than to let her guard down. The atmosphere in the mansion had shifted in subtle, almost imperceptible ways. Ethan had been watching her more closely lately—too closely. His once cold, dismissive attitude had been replaced by something else: a brand of attention that was uncomfortable, unsettling, and—if she was honest with herself—a little dangerous.
It had started small at first, with him making a comment here or there, something out of character, something almost... kind.
"You look tired," he had said to her that morning, his voice soft in a way that made her stomach twist. "You should get some rest."
She had frozen at the comment, unsure of how to react. Was this a trap? A test? Or had he truly changed his approach?
But it didn't stop there. Over the course of the next few days, Ethan's behavior became increasingly strange. He started complimenting her appearance—something he had never done before. "Your hair looks good today," he'd say, his gaze lingering just a moment too long. Or "That dress suits you," as if he were admiring something other than just her clothing.
It wasn't that she wasn't grateful for the compliments. In another world, another life, perhaps they would have meant something to her. But in this world, where every gesture was laced with manipulation, Kezia couldn't help but feel that his actions were just another layer of control.
But she played along, knowing that any reaction could lead to more trouble. It was clear that Ethan's mood swings had intensified, and she didn't want to push him over the edge. Not yet. Not until she had a plan.
Kezia had just returned from the library, her mind heavy with thoughts of how to break free from Ethan's grasp, when she found him in the sitting room, a glass of whiskey in hand.
"Come join me," he said without looking up, as if his invitation was a casual suggestion rather than a command.
Kezia hesitated, feeling the tension in the air, but something inside her urged her to comply. She was beginning to understand how Ethan operated. He was a man who thrived on control, but when he couldn't control something, he would become unpredictable.
As she sat down across from him, Ethan finally met her gaze. The usual hardness in his eyes had softened, replaced by an expression that almost resembled... concern? It unsettled her.
"Are you happy here?" Ethan asked, his voice surprisingly sincere.
The question was so unexpected, so out of character for him, that Kezia didn't know how to respond at first. She knew what he was asking. It wasn't about her well-being—it was about his dominance over her. But how could she answer without risking his wrath?
"I manage," she said cautiously, her voice steady but her heart racing. "I've learned to survive."
He leaned back, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. "I've been thinking," he said, his voice quiet. "Maybe... maybe I've been too hard on you."
Kezia blinked, her mind racing to process his words. Was this some kind of trap? Was he testing her?
"I don't need your sympathy," she said, her voice low and firm. "I don't want your pity."
Ethan chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with something she couldn't quite decipher. "It's not pity," he said, setting down his glass. "It's understanding."
Before she could reply, his hand reached out and, without warning, brushed a strand of hair from her face. The touch was so gentle that it left her momentarily stunned, but she quickly recoiled, her body tense with discomfort.
"Don't touch me," she said sharply, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
Ethan's eyes darkened, his expression tightening as though her words had struck him. But instead of anger, there was something else in his gaze—a flash of uncertainty. It was so brief that Kezia almost thought she imagined it, but the flicker of doubt in his eyes was undeniable.
"You're so difficult, Kezia," he muttered, a slight frown forming on his face as he stood up and walked toward the window. "I can't figure you out. But I will."
Kezia watched him for a moment, her heart pounding. She knew he was trying to manipulate her emotions, to get a rise out of her, but she couldn't deny that there was something different in the air now. Something more dangerous.
As Ethan turned away, she stood up, feeling a growing unease. She had learned to read his moods, and this one—this strange, almost affectionate behavior—was a new development that made her more wary than ever.
---
That evening, as Kezia retreated to her room to clear her mind, she found herself growing more and more disillusioned with Ethan's sudden interest in her. It wasn't a change of heart—it was another move in his twisted game. She wasn't foolish enough to believe his kindness. It was a manipulation of the highest order.
But there was someone else whose attention she couldn't ignore.
Lucas.
The tension between her and Lucas had been building over the past few days. While Ethan's sudden attention had unsettled her, Lucas's presence had stirred something deeper within her—something far more dangerous. He was the only person in this house who seemed to genuinely care about her well-being. And though she knew his intentions were far from pure, she found herself drawn to him nonetheless.
As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair, she felt a strange tug in her chest. There was something about Lucas that both comforted and tormented her. His calm demeanor had been a balm to her frazzled nerves, but she also couldn't ignore the way he looked at her—almost like he was testing her, waiting for her to crack.
The door creaked open behind her, and she spun around in surprise. Lucas stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark eyes fixed on her.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But I wanted to talk to you."
Kezia felt her pulse quicken, but she kept her composure. "About what?"
His gaze darkened slightly, and a small, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. "About Ethan," he said simply.
Kezia's stomach tightened. She had a feeling that whatever Lucas was about to say wouldn't make her feel any better.