“Welcome back, sir,” the maid’s voice called out. 

Edward’s ears perked up, listening to Kessler’s calm and unhurried footsteps as he walked towards the basement room where he was. 

He kept his eyes half-lidded, his body slack against the bed, breathing slow and uneven. His regular drugs still clung to his system like warm syrup, dulling his reflexes just enough to make the act easier.

The door opened. “Well, well…”

Edward forced his gaze upward, letting it drift lazily as if ...