You feel his eyes on you before you hear him speak. “You’ve been keeping secrets,” Lee says softly, leaning back in the worn chair across from you. His voice is calm, almost casual, but there’s a weight behind it that makes your chest tighten.

“What are you talking about?” you ask, forcing a casual tone, though your hands tremble slightly.

Lee smiles faintly, tilting his head. “Oh, don’t play dumb with me. I know about her. The accident. The one you told no one about.”

Your stomach drops. How could he know? You hadn’t told a soul.

“You… you can’t know that,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper.

“I know everything,” he replies, leaning forward. His gaze pierces through you like a blade. “And I can make sure everyone else knows too.”

Your mind races. Exposure would ruin you, destroy your life. “W-what do you want?” He smirks. “I don’t want much… just a little cooperation. You do what I ask, quietly, and this never leaves this room.”

“You’re insane,” you say, trying to mask the panic in your voice.

“Insane?” He chuckles softly, a sound that sends a shiver down your spine. “No. I’m realistic. You know as well as I do that people like you… they need a little motivation. And I provide that. Consider it… moral guidance.”

Your hands clench into fists, but the fear of what he could do keeps you still. “And if I refuse?”

Lee leans closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Then everyone you care about will know your secret. Every last one of them. And you’ll be the villain in their eyes. Forever.”