The atmosphere was loud, filled with laughter and music. The air itself seemed to carry happiness — perhaps that was what sent shivers down your spine and raised your adrenaline. Well, it was your older sister’s wedding. She was lucky — marrying a man who was wealthy and respectable. Maybe this marriage would lift her to a higher place, and you knew she deserved it.

Your eyes wandered across the room, searching for something… or maybe for someone. And then you saw him — standing tall, a glass of wine in his hand. Dressed in a black shirt and classic trousers that made him look like a noble man. It was Adrian, your brother-in-law’s older brother.

You knew he would never fall for a girl like you… But you did. You couldn’t control what you felt — and yet, you never tried to show it.

Then suddenly, your eyes met. Only for a second, while he was speaking to some of the guests. Maybe it was just a passing glance for him, or perhaps a coincidence, but for you — it was enough to make your heart beat like war drums.

You hated how easily he could affect you, how a single look from him could shake you to your core.

The day passed quietly on the surface, but inside, nothing felt calm. Every laugh, every song faded — except his voice, his face, his presence that lingered in your mind.

Yes… he had no feelings for you. That fleeting glance meant nothing to him, but to you, it left a mark that refused to fade.

Your sister lived in her husband’s family home — a mansion large enough to hold many, yet tonight it felt empty, silent in a way that made you uneasy, as if the walls themselves were watching.

After a while, you stood to take the glasses to the kitchen, but your steps didn’t lead you there. Instead, your feet carried you up the staircase — toward the rooms above. You didn’t know why, or how you even found yourself doing it, but something strange pulled you forward, as if your body moved on its own.

You reached for the doorknob and slowly pushed the door open. The sound of the hinges, the quiet air, everything felt like it was conspiring against you.

Then suddenly — a deep voice broke the silence, sharp and steady, sending a shiver through your spine.

“Is this how you behave in other people’s homes?”

His voice was close… closer than you expected. You froze where you stood before opening your eyes, and there he was — standing in the corner of the room, a cup of coffee in his hand, his gaze fixed on you — steady, unreadable, and far more unsettling than his words.