Lily
Morning came too fast. Sunlight sliced through the curtains, and I woke to Adrian’s voice. “Get up, Lily.”
I sat up, groggy. Marcus wasn't in the room. Adrian stood by the bed, dressed in a black suit, his expression cold. “He’s here.”
“Who?” I mumbled, then remembered. Dr. Pierce.
“Get dressed,” he said, tossing me a sheer black robe. “Downstairs. Five minutes.”
I slipped it on, the fabric barely covering me, and followed him. My legs shook as we descended the stairs. Dr. Pierce stood there— tall, lean, with graying hair and a stern face I knew from lectures. He wore a dark blazer, hands in his pockets, his eyes locking onto me with a hunger I’d never seen in class.
“Miss Carter,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “You’ve been busy.”
I froze. “Dr. Pierce—”
“Quiet,” Adrian c
