Transition to Joi's Perspective
At the villa, Joi sat in the garden, her thoughts unsettled. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, though she dismissed it as paranoia. Adrian's absence had left her vulnerable, and no matter how much Emily and Alexander reassured her, the unease lingered.
Unbeknownst to her, Marcus's plan was already in motion. His obsession was a storm on the horizon, inching closer with every passing moment.
---
The villa was peaceful on the surface, but Joi's nerves refused to settle. She sat by the window of her room, staring out at the moonlit garden. Adrian's departure weighed on her, and the thought of him being far away made her feel exposed in ways she couldn't explain.
She tried to focus on the sound of the cicadas, the gentle rustling of leaves, but her heart remained restless. The house was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of voices from Emily and Alexander down the hall.
Joi glanced at her notebook lying open on the desk, filled with half-written sentences and fragmented memories. She picked it up and began writing, her pen moving almost aimlessly:
"Sometimes the past doesn't let go. It lingers, even when you want to forget. Especially when you want to forget."
Her hand trembled as she wrote the words, the unease crawling up her spine like a shadow she couldn't shake.
A soft knock at the door startled her. Joi jumped, clutching the notebook to her chest.
"Joi? It's Emily," came the familiar voice.
Joi exhaled, her tension easing slightly. "Come in."
Emily stepped inside, a warm smile on her face, though her eyes carried a hint of concern. "You haven't come downstairs all evening. Are you okay?"
Joi hesitated before answering. "I don't know. I feel... uneasy. Like something's wrong."
Emily crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "It's probably just the stress. Adrian being away doesn't help, I'm sure. But you're safe here, Joi. Alexander and I are keeping an eye on everything."
Joi nodded but didn't respond. She looked out the window again, her thoughts drifting to the past—the way Marcus's presence used to fill every corner of her life, leaving her no space to breathe.
---
Outside the Villa
Unbeknownst to them, Marcus's investigator had parked his car just beyond the villa's gates. He watched through binoculars, noting the lights turning off in the rooms one by one. His phone buzzed, and he answered it quickly.
"She's still here," he said, his voice low. "There's no sign of anyone else. Just the family and a couple of house staff."
On the other end, Marcus's voice was sharp and impatient. "Good. Stay there. I want every move documented."
The investigator hesitated. "What's your plan, Marcus? She's got people around her. It won't be easy to get to her."
Marcus chuckled darkly. "I don't care how hard it is. She's mine, and I'll remind her of that soon enough."
---
Back in the Villa
Joi finally drifted to sleep, though it was restless. Her dreams were fragmented—images of Marcus's face, his cold eyes, the grip of his hands on her wrists.
When she woke, it was to the sound of something creaking. Her heart leaped into her throat as she sat up, straining to hear.
"Emily?" she called softly, but there was no response.
She slipped out of bed, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders as she tiptoed toward the door. She cracked it open, peering into the dimly lit hallway. It was empty.
The unease returned, heavier this time. She thought about going to Emily or Alexander's room but didn't want to disturb them. Instead, she moved toward the staircase, her bare feet making no sound on the carpeted floor.
At the bottom of the stairs, she froze. The front door was slightly ajar, a sliver of moonlight spilling onto the floor.
Joi's chest tightened. She backed away, her mind racing. It's nothing. "Maybe someone forgot to close it properly." But the thought did little to ease her fear.
The sound of a branch snapping outside made her blood run cold. She clutched her locket tightly, her breaths coming faster.
"Emily?" she called again, louder this time.
Suddenly, Alexander appeared at the top of the stairs, his expression alert. "What's wrong?"
Joi pointed to the door, her voice trembling. "It's open. Someone's outside."
Alexander moved swiftly, his demeanor calm but focused. "Stay here," he said firmly before descending the stairs and closing the door.
Emily joined them moments later, her expression serious. "What happened?"
Joi could only shake her head, tears streaming down her face. "I don't know. I just... I feel like he's here. Marcus."
Emily wrapped an arm around her, whispering soothing words, but the fear had already taken hold. Somewhere outside, Marcus's shadow loomed closer, and Joi's fragile sense of safety began to crumble.
---
The morning sun filtered through the windows of the villa, casting long beams across the polished floors. Yet, the light did little to dispel the oppressive tension hanging in the air. Joi sat at the dining table, cradling a steaming cup of tea. She hadn't touched it; her hands shook too much to lift it to her lips.
Emily watched her from across the table, concern etched into her features. "You barely slept last night," she said softly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Joi shook her head. She didn't have the words to describe the terror that had gripped her. It wasn't just the door being open or the noises outside—it was the overwhelming certainty that Marcus was near.
Alexander entered the room, his phone pressed to his ear. His sharp tone carried across the space. "I want security increased immediately. Double the guards at the gates, and install motion sensors in the garden. I don't care how much it costs—just get it done today."
He ended the call and approached the table, his eyes scanning Joi's pale face. "Joi, I'm not taking any chances. We'll have this place locked down like a fortress. Marcus won't get within a mile of you."
Joi nodded, grateful but still deeply unsettled. She glanced at the window, half-expecting to see Marcus's face staring back at her. "What if it's not enough?" she whispered. "What if he's already here?"
Emily reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Joi's. "He's not here. We won't let him hurt you again."
---
Later That Day
Technicians arrived in the afternoon, setting up an array of cameras, alarms, and reinforced locks. Joi watched from the living room as they worked, feeling a strange mix of relief and dread. The villa was becoming a fortress, but even the thickest walls couldn't keep out her memories—or the fear that Marcus would find a way through.
Daniel joined her on the couch, his expression unusually serious. "Joi, I know I haven't been the father you needed," he began, his voice low. "But I promise you, I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
Joi looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I appreciate that, Dad. But Marcus... he's not like other people. He doesn't give up."
Daniel's jaw tightened. "Then we'll make him give up. Alexander and I will handle this."
Joi's gaze dropped to her lap. She wanted to believe him, but the shadow of doubt lingered.
---
Meanwhile, Outside the Villa, Marcus sat in the dimly lit corner of a bar, nursing a whiskey. His investigator stood nearby, giving a detailed report.
"They've tightened security at the villa," the man said. "Guards, cameras, alarms—the works."
Marcus smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Her fiance's money at play, I see. But all the security in the world can't change the fact that she's mine."
The investigator hesitated. "It'll be harder to get close now."
Marcus's expression darkened. "Do I look like I care? Hard doesn't mean impossible." He set his glass down and leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I've waited long enough. It's time to remind Joi what happens when she tries to run from me."
---
The villa was eerily quiet once again at night. Joi sat in her room, staring at the new lock on her door. It was supposed to make her feel safe, but instead, it felt like a reminder of how far Marcus was willing to go.
She glanced at the small locket around her neck, clutching it tightly. Adrian's absence felt like a void, and the weight of his delayed return pressed heavily on her heart. She knew he was handling important business, but she couldn't help wishing he were there.
Outside, Alexander patrolled the property with two guards, a flashlight cutting through the darkness. Emily stayed in the living room, her laptop open as she monitored the new security feeds.
Joi tried to sleep, but her mind refused to rest. Every shadow seemed to move, every creak of the house sent her heart racing. As the hours dragged on, she lay awake, clutching the locket and whispering a silent plea for Adrian to come back.