It was our first night alone in the villa—just me and Terrence.

The caretakers had already left, and the space suddenly felt enormous. Too quiet. Too still. As if the house itself was holding its breath with us inside it.

Inside the bedroom, I could feel my chest trembling with every inhale.

Earlier, Terrence had said—far too calmly—that tonight, he would finally claim what was his. That he had already given me enough time to adjust.

Adjust?

Seriously—what kind of adjustment was he ...