Vella tried to ignore the chilling sensation creeping through her body as Victor stood so close, his smile faint but his eyes full of hidden meaning.

"You look tense," he said softly, his fingers almost touching Vella's cheek before the girl took a step back.

"I'm just surprised," Vella said, her voice striving to sound flat.

Victor raised an eyebrow, as if mocking her. "Surprised that I'm back? Or because you've finally realized you can't escape me?"

Vella's heart beat faster. She couldn't get caught in this game.

"I've forgotten you, Victor."

Victor laughed softly, his expression seeming self-amused. "You really want me to believe that?"

Vella didn't answer. She chose to leave, stepping past Victor. However, before she could get far, Victor caught her wrist. Not too tight, but enough to stop her.

"You'd better get ready, Vella," he whispered close to her ear. "I'll make sure you can never ignore me again."

Vella held her breath, trying to free herself from Victor's grasp. "Let me go."

Victor gave a small smile before finally releasing her.

But before Vella could truly walk away, he managed to whisper, "Welcome back to my life, darling."

---

Vella couldn't stand staying at that party any longer. After exchanging pleasantries with a few guests she didn't even really know, she finally asked her mother for permission to leave early.

"I'll be staying at the hotel tonight," her mother said with a happy smile. "Enjoy the house by yourself tonight, dear."

Vella just nodded. Honestly, she was relieved. She needed space to breathe.

A light rain was falling as Vella stepped into the house. The atmosphere was quiet. Silent.

She turned on the living room light, dropped her bag on the sofa, and walked straight to her bedroom. After changing out of the stuffy party dress, she went into the bathroom, trying to wash away all the burdens on her mind under the stream of warm water.

But the image of Victor kept appearing in her head. His gaze, his words from earlier that night...

"I'll make sure you can never ignore me again."

Vella let out a heavy sigh, quickly dried her hair, and went into the bedroom. She was just about to get into bed when her phone suddenly vibrated on the nightstand.

Unknown number.

She frowned. It was past midnight. Who would call at this hour?

Hesitantly, she slid the green button. "Hello?"

A few seconds of silence. Only soft breathing on the other end.

Vella was about to hang up when the voice sounded.

"You left too early, darling."

Vella froze.

It was Victor's voice. Soft. Calm. But there was something that made her hair stand on end.

"Victor?" her voice rose, a reflex. "How did you get my number?"

Victor laughed softly. The sound sent shivers down Vella's spine.

"I always know what you have, Vella." Then the call disconnected.

Vella stared at her dark phone screen, her chest pounding.

How did he know? Had Victor been following her? Or… had he infiltrated her life deeper than she imagined?

Her mind was filled with fear that was starting to turn into panic.

She gripped her phone tightly, staring into the darkness of the night outside her window.

Biting her lip, she tried to think clearly. This must just be a psychological game. Victor just wanted to scare her. But why did it feel so real?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

DING-DONG.

Vella jolted.

The doorbell rang.

The sound echoed through the spacious, quiet house, reverberating in the empty halls.

Who would come at this hour?

She glanced at the time on her phone—12:24 AM.

Her hand clenched the phone tightly as the bell rang again. This time, longer.

DING-DONG. DING-DONG.

Vella held her breath.

She strained her ears, trying to hear any sound outside. No footsteps, no sound of a car stopping in front of her house.

DING-DONG.

Her heart beat faster.

She walked slowly towards the front door, passing through the dark hallway. The shadow from the outside light cast a faint silhouette on the marble floor.

Arriving at the door, she stood still. Didn't dare move.

She stared at the peephole. Hesitant.

But before she could see who was outside, her phone vibrated again.

A message from an unknown number:

"Why aren't you opening the door, Vella?"

Her breath caught.

Vella's hands trembled as she slowly backed away. She didn't dare look through the peephole again.

The doorbell didn't ring anymore.

However, in the silence of the night, she could feel something.

Someone was out there. Waiting for her.

And she knew exactly who it was.

Victor.

Vella bit her lip, her heart pounding as she stared at the door in front of her.

She knew this was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

But curiosity and fear mixed into one, making her slowly reach out her hand and turn the doorknob.

As the door opened, Victor stood there.

He was dressed entirely in black, his hair slightly disheveled, and his expression was completely different from the man she met at the party earlier. Cold. Dark. Dangerous.

The drizzle had dampened his shoulders, and his gaze immediately pierced through Vella's eyes, sharp and demanding.

Vella felt her tongue go numb.

"Victor… what are you doing here?"

Victor didn't answer immediately. Suddenly, the man stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

"Victor! What are you—"

Click.

He closed the door behind him and quickly locked it.

Vella took a step back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Victor, get out."

Victor didn't move. He just looked around the house, as if assessing every corner, before his gaze finally returned to Vella.

"A big house," Victor murmured softly. "Too big to live in alone."