idn't feel

world that Elliot Kingsley didn't simply have money. He

calm, unblinking eye. Even the driveway seemed choreographed, curving through trimmed hedges and carefully placed l

ed at the front entrance,

because I didn't know if I was all

lone made my

coming. Marble floors. Clean lines. A chandelier that looked too delica

t expecting the house to register

side me, the next it was being rolled away by someone in black who said

oth smile and a posture that

be polite, not warm enough to be familiar. "

rse sh

led back, her makeup subtle. She looked like she

follow me

s-abstract, expensive, emotionally distant. A runner rug so pale I was afraid my shoes might offend it. Every few f

els making controlled clicks on the polished floor. "Schedules wil

ty pro

formal to belong

anyway.

tricted areas of the property. You'l

e house decided what versi

r, the right side dimmer, quieter. A subtle change in temperature. Not d

looking at me. "That includes the stairwell at t

htened at the

peated before I

ll polite but no longer warm. "Private offic

. "And... t

mask being put back on.

the house, but in the illusion that I w

ed me to a door at the

is you

the bedroom

al, curated, designed for comfort without personality. A king-size bed with crisp white linens. A sitt

objects. No sign that anyone ever staye

asked, though

t flicker. "Mr. Kingsley's

urse

e continued. "Mr. Kingsl

he prefer anything el

e, level and careful. "

expected. It wasn't a threat, not exact

Kingsley may or may not attend depending on his s

softness. Jus

he door and paused

oked

rs. Kingsley. In public, you

pub

t a slow chill t

e door softly behind her.

g caught the light-simple, elegant, definitely not something I coul

else's

felt like I'

elt like I'd

en though it was just dinner. I didn't know what the house expected

aret had pointed out earlier and

ecting with them. Crystal glasses were set. Plates arranged perfectly. A small vas

straight,

seven, Elli

ut because everything in the space seemed to acknowledge him. Like the hous

t jacket removed now, sleeves rolled just slightly. Hi

that was apparently h

replied,

dn't

sappearing. Questions asked only when necessary. "Water?" "

food as if the act r

" he said, like he was discussing the we

ded.

ook up. "Yo

tened slightly

aks to you directly," he continued.

hroat and died before it beca

d just enough

ot cruel. Ju

ld have meant anything. They could have been

d like ownership wri

wrong thing?"

blink. "

rance in his confid

tretched

ionaire and his wife. Elegant. Calm. Untouchable. A marriage that m

distance so precis

allow. "Are there...

said imm

, took a sip, then set i

ander,"

ightened. "W

red. "This house is

asked before I

his plate. "You d

rase Margar

pleasant. It wasn't fear exactly. It was the feeli

o the areas you need. If something is restricted,

were instruct

tructed never

h. "Is there a

"Don't mistake proxi

st tig

n for what

eplied. "To assume famil

uman in his expression. Something that said

ontrol. Endless,

d I hated the smallness in my voic

looked dire

.. guarded. Like he kept parts of himself lo

u'll be safe. You'll be provided for.

d have com

it d

d about partnership. About trust. A

rks," he added, "bec

ea

otion wa

finger, and understood the shap

perfe

te di

ull from far away an

er. The staff appeared almost instantly, clear

share your schedul

t the door and l

he might say something

e said, "A

es

lm but firm. "Don't g

went dr

nothing-passed over his

g like..

doors don't open the same

he

I lay awake stari

meant peace. It was the quiet of control. Of systems runni

distance, a doo

up, li

-faint footsteps, measured, like

Not rushe

the window, pushing the curtain bac

ar hallway across the co

in pr

t w

w how I knew

hat didn't stare back, and the discomf

riage ha

eady been here before me... lon

into place and returned to b

thought pressed itself

ley need a wife for... that r