The rain had eased by the time Arielle returned to her room. She paused in front of the mirror, her reflection catching the faint tremor in her hands. She clenched them into fists, forcing the nerves down. She couldn’t afford to let herself slip again. Kairo was watching, even if he hadn’t said anything. That much was clear.
She sat on the edge of the bed, her mind already moving. If she wanted to get out, she needed to start testing. Not grand gestures, not anything reckless. Just small moves. Enough to feel out the gaps in his control. Enough to see how tightly the strings were tied.
But she had to be careful. One wrong step and she’d tighten the noose around her own neck.
The next morning at breakfast, the atmosphere seemed deceptively ordinary. Kairo was at the head of the table, si
