The house is quiet. You stood in the kitchen, knife in hand, chopping vegetables but your attention was elsewhere, on the man seated at the dining table behind you.

You focused on the knife in your hand, your grip tightening. What if he know? Did he find out about the hidden bag? About your plan to leave?

Nikolai is watching you from there. You could feel his eyes on the back of your neck. He always watched you like that, like you were both his greatest obsession and his favorite game.

How was your day? his voice calm, almost too casual