“Hey, silly girl,” Ghost’s voice was low, almost teasing, as he leaned against the doorframe, his masked face revealing nothing but his calculated smirk. “You know I love you, right?”

Her face softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips as she looked up at him, her guard completely down. “Yeah, I love you too,” she said quietly, her voice filled with trust and affection.

Ghost’s eyes narrowed slightly behind the mask, satisfied with how easy it was. He had her wrapped around his finger, playing her emotions like a puppet on strings. The way she looked at him—like he was the only one who understood her, the one person she could rely on—he knew it was exactly what he needed. He didn’t need to push, didn’t need to force anything. She believed in this connection, in him, completely unaware that it was nothing more than a carefully constructed lie.

“Go to bed,” he murmured, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smirk beneath the mask. He spoke gently, almost tenderly, knowing full well that his manipulation worked every time. She never questioned him, never doubted his intentions. She smiled at his words, as if there was something reassuring in his command, and headed off without hesitation, believing she was safe, loved, protected.

But as she walked away, Ghost’s eyes followed her, cold and unfeeling. He had her right where he wanted her—under his thumb, completely at his mercy. Every word, every gesture, was calculated to keep her dependent, to ensure her loyalty without ever needing to earn it. She would do anything for him, convinced it was out of love, when all along it was nothing more than a game to him. He didn’t love her. He didn’t love anyone. But she would never know that.

As she disappeared from view, Ghost allowed himself a quiet, satisfied chuckle. He was always in control, and she would never see it coming.