Rissa’s POV

The air inside the estate pressed against my skin, heavy and suffocating, as though the walls themselves were bracing for what was coming. Mark’s words from earlier still clawed at my thoughts. He had stood so rigid, his jaw set, his shoulders tense, and I could see it in his eyes; he was carrying more than he let on.

I wanted to demand answers, but deep down I knew this wasn’t the moment. Every step I took down the long corridor seemed to echo louder than it should, ...