Arielle had learned quickly that survival depended on precision. The smallest slip could unravel everything she had been holding together since her confrontation with her mother. Each morning she woke beside Kairo, his hand sometimes resting carelessly over hers, and she would remind herself not to breathe too fast, not to let her mind run ahead of her. He was patient. Too patient. And that made him dangerous.
The first test had been subtle. She “forgot” to mention an errand one afternoon—just a visit to a boutique, nothing suspicious. She came back with a small shopping bag, made sure he saw it, and left the receipt tucked inside where it was visible. Kairo didn’t comment. He only glanced at her once during dinner, long enough for her to know he’d noticed.
That night, she lay awake repl
