CHLOE’s POV

The morning came too fast. I barley closed my eyes to sleep. It never felt this heavy. The silence alone was choking me.

The mansion’s halls always held secrets, but today it felt like they were whispering, soft, busy, humming with something ugly just beneath the surface.

Jake didn’t speak to me when I woke. He didn’t come in. Didn’t knock. Didn’t check if I was still breathing.

He just placed guards at the door.

More guards.

Like I was both valuable ...