Chapter 5 (Welcome Home, Monster)
215 Words
The Blackwood mansion felt colder than before.
Not because it had changed…
But because Naya now understood it better.
It wasn’t a home.
It was a system.
A control center disguised as luxury.
As she stepped out of the car, the guards immediately bowed.
“Welcome back, Master Cassian.”
Her stomach tightened.
She wasn’t Cassian.
But she had to survive as him.
Serena walked beside her calmly.
“Act normal,” she whispered. “Or they’ll notice.”
Inside, the air felt heavy.
Every step echoed.
Every wall felt like it was watching.
Then—
A voice.
Deep. Powerful.
“Cassian.”
Naya stopped.
At the end of the hall stood Mr. Blackwood.
Not just a man.
An authority.
A presence that filled the entire space without effort.
He walked slowly toward her.
Measured steps.
Controlled power.
“My son,” he said.
Naya forced herself to breathe.
“Yes… father.”
He stopped in front of her.
Silence stretched.
Then suddenly—his hand gripped her shoulder.
Hard.
Testing.
“You feel different,” he said quietly.
Naya’s heart slammed.
She didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Then he leaned closer.
His voice dropped.
“Tell me…”
A pause.
“Did you fail…”
His grip tightened slightly.
“…or did you die?”
- Writer
