The mansion loomed ahead like a silent sentinel, its towering spires shrouded in mist. As Alexander's driver escorted her inside, Ava couldn't shake the feeling of stepping into something far more dangerous than she could comprehend.
"You'll stay in the guest wing," Alexander said as they walked through the grand halls. "It's quiet, and you'll have everything you need."
He was right—everything she needed was there, from luxurious furnishings to the softest bed she'd ever felt. Yet the mansion felt more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary.
The days passed slowly. Alexander checked on her frequently, ensuring she was comfortable, but his constant presence was both reassuring and unnerving. He brought her tea, read to her, and even coaxed a laugh or two out of her.
But every now and then, she caught glimpses of something darker. The way his smile faded when he thought she wasn't looking. The way he avoided certain questions about her apartment fire.
Ava decided to step out for some fresh air. The mansion's opulence was suffocating, and she needed a break from Alexander's intense watchfulness. She wandered through the garden, her thoughts a tangled mess of gratitude and suspicion.
But as she stepped onto the road to flag down a cab, a black SUV sped around the corner. The sound of screeching tires filled the air. She barely had time to turn before the impact threw her to the ground.
---
She woke to the beeping of monitors and the sterile scent of antiseptic. Her body ached, but the sight of Alexander sitting at her bedside made her forget the pain momentarily.
"You're awake," he said, his voice hoarse.
"What happened?"
"You were hit by a car. The driver fled, but I'll find them," he said, his jaw tight.
Ava tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in her ribs stopped her. Alexander was at her side instantly, his hands gentle as he helped her lie back down.
"You don't need to worry about anything," he said, his voice soft. "I've brought in the best doctors. You'll recover fully."
She wanted to protest, to ask why he was doing so much for her, but the intensity in his eyes silenced her.