Suzan's pov
He stared at me like he could see through me—past my skin, past my bones, into the raw, vulnerable depths of my soul. His dark eyes, cold and unrelenting, held a quiet malice that made my breath hitch.
The dim glow of the chandelier cast sharp shadows across his face, highlighting the cruel curve of his lips as he lifted his glass of wine. The deep red liquid swirled, thick and rich, like blood in the dim light. He took a slow sip, never breaking eye contact, and I swore I saw the ghost of a smirk play at the corner of his mouth.
My fingers curled into my lap, nails digging into my palm to keep my hands from trembling. I could feel the weight of his gaze pressing down on me, suffocating, like invisible chains tightening around my throat.
The silence stretched, hea
