The library door was half open with a golden light flashing against the cold marble floors. Kelly's breath trembled as she pressed herself against the wall
Rowel was gone, and the house was silent.
Now or never.
She took a careful step inside. The scent of leather and old paper filled the room, roaming around her. Shadows spread across tall bookshelves, and the dim chandelier created strange shapes on the floor.
She moved quickly, brushing her fingers along the spines of the books. She searched for something—anything—that could help her understand why she was here, why Rowel was in control of her life, and why her memories were slipping away like sand.
Then, she saw it.
A black leather-bound journal sitting on Rowel's desk. Unlike the others, this one wasn't coated in dust.
Someone had already touched it recently.
Her Heart was pounding as she flipped it open.
Kelly B.
Her name was written in bold letters at the top of the first page.
Below it was a contract.
Her eyes scanned the words, bile rising in her throat.
"In exchange for saving the life of Jennifer B, Kelly B agrees to…"
The ink blurred as her trembling fingers flipped across the contract. While the stipulations remained large, one aspect was quite small—she had entered into a binding agreement. This accord ultimately conferred extensive authority to Rowel over her decisions and actions.
She didn't remember signing it.
Then—a voice behind her.
"You shouldn't be reading that, Bella."
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
She turned slowly.
Vincent DeLuca.
He stood near the door, dressed in a sleek black suit; his expression was unreadable. His greenish-brown eyes flickered between her and the journal in her trembling hands.
"How long have you been standing there?" Kelly whispered, throat dry.
Vincent stepped closer, his movements were smooth and calculated. "Long enough."
Kelly clutched the journal to her chest. "Are you here to stop me?"
Vincent turned his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "That depends. Do you want to escape, or do you want the truth?"
Her pulse pounded in her ears. "What's the difference?"
Vincent leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"One will set you free. The other will destroy you."
A sharp knock suddenly echoed through the hallway.
Rowel!
Kelly's stomach twisted.
Vincent's expression darkened. "You need to make a choice, Bella. Right now."
Trust Vincent and run? Or hide the journal and pretend she found nothing?
The sharp knock sent Kelly's breath hitching.
Rowel was right outside.
Vincent didn't move, but his green-brown eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her chest tighten. "You don't have much time, Bella," he murmured. "Choose."
Her fingers gripped the leather journal. Should she trust Vincent and try to escape? Or should she hide the journal and pretend to know nothing?
Before she could decide, the doorknob twisted.
Kelly's heart raced.
Vincent moved quickly—so quickly that she barely had time to react. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him just as the door opened.
Rowel walked in.
He wore his usual crisp black vest and dark slacks. He looked calm, but his sharp blue eyes darted between Vincent's grip on her and the open journal.
The air in the room froze.
Kelly felt Vincent's fingers tighten around her wrist—a silent warning.
Rowel took a slow step forward. "Did I interrupt something?"
Kelly swallowed hard. Lie. Lie. Lie.
Vincent, as calm as ever, released her and leaned against the desk like he belonged there. "Just having a friendly conversation with your little captive," he mused, his voice smooth. "She's quite the curious one."
Rowel's gaze darkened.
Kelly forced herself to speak. "I—I was just looking for something to read," she stammered, stepping away from the journal.
Silence.
Then, Rowel's lips curled into something that wasn't a smile.
"Is that so?"
Vincent shifted, his usual smirk returning. "She has an interesting taste in books, don't you think?" He shut the journal with one hand as if shielding it from Rowel's careful observation
Rowel's expression didn't change. But Kelly could feel the storm developing under his calm appearance
Then, suddenly—he moved.
Before Kelly could react, Rowel was in front of her, his fingers lifting her chin with deadly perfection
His grip was light. Too light. But the weight of his power settled in her bones.
His voice was soft. Dangerous. "What did you read?"
Kelly's breath shook.
She knew one wrong word could break her.
"I... I don't remember," she whispered.
Rowel searched her face, his piercing gaze drilling into her like he could see through her skin—through her lies.
Her heartbeat fasts
Then—he smiled.
But it wasn't a relief.
It was knowing.
"Of course you don't," he murmured, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers. The touch sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"You never do."
Kelly's stomach dropped.
Rowel knew.
Somehow, he knew about the missing pieces of her memory.
And worse? He wasn't worried.
He was expecting it.
Vincent tensed beside her, but Rowel ignored him. He let go of Kelly's chin and turned away, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves. "You should rest, little dove. You have a long day ahead of you."
Kelly's hands clenched into fists. What did that mean?
Rowel walked past Vincent, pausing at the door. His voice was low. "Stay out of things that don't concern you, DeLuca."
Vincent just smirked. "But where's the fun in that?"
Rowel gave a final glance at Kelly, something unreadable in his expression.
Then, he was gone.
The moment the door shut, Kelly exhaled sharp breath as her knees nearly collapsed
Vincent turned his head and whispered, "That was close."
She turned to him with burning eyes "You were going to let me get caught?"
Vincent chuckled. "Oh, Bella. I was going to see if you could lie under pressure. You did alright—though I'd rate it a six out of ten."
She clutched her jaw. "I don't trust you."
Vincent's smile widened. "Good...That means you're learning."
Kelly took a shaky breath. Her eyes flickered to the journal still in Vincent's grip.
"You knew I'd find this," she accused.
Vincent ran a lazy finger along the cover. "And what if I did?"
"Why?"
He looked at her, his smile slightly fading away "Because sweetheart… you're not the first girl Rowel has done this to."
Kelly's blood turned to ice.
The room felt too small.
Her head swayed. "What… did you just say?"
Vincent tapped the journal against his palm. "If you want answers, you'll have to earn them."
Kelly stared at him. "And how do I do that?"
Vincent took a slow step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"By playing the game right."