The air in the mansion felt thick, almost suffocating as the days stretched into an unbearable routine. I spent hours pacing the lavish halls, staring out of the windows at the gardens below, and feeling the weight of my agreement with Freddy pressing down on me. I wasn’t just here anymore—I was stuck, and each passing moment reminded me of that.

Freddy had been distant since the night we struck our deal. He was around, always watching, but never too close. It was as if he was waiting for ...