Riley's POV
The car ride was a blur. My mind was still reeling from the encounter with Kirk, from the unexpected intrusion of Karl, from the suffocating weight of unspoken emotions and dangerous desires. I tried to question Karl about our destination, but he simply chuckled, his hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, and told me to relax and enjoy the ride. He knew me too well. He knew I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, to process before speaking, and he wouldn’t push me. His silence, however, felt reassuring, a sharp contrast to the storm raging within me.
We pulled up to a building that initially surprised me. It wasn’t the tranquil garden I’d envisioned, nor the quiet corner of the mansion. It was a modern, sleek building, all glass and steel, with the word "Gallery" discr
