Back at the mansion, all those memories flooded my mind, while Xavier’s strange behavior confused and hurt me deeply. The simple bowl of banana custard had turned into a symbol of his mistrust—or maybe his cruel pleasure in watching me suffer. He left the room, slamming the door behind him, as my tears kept falling uncontrollably, choking me with sorrow.

Escaping from this psychopath felt impossible. Every breath I took felt heavy, as if the walls around me were closing in, trapping me ...