The car rolled away from the mansion gates, leaving Lucy standing at the top of the steps. The night air was still, heavy, and she felt it pressing on her chest. Her arms hugged herself tight as she pushed the doors open and slipped inside.
The hall glowed bright under golden lights, but Lucy felt no warmth. Her shoes clicked against the marble as she hurried upstairs, her steps uneven, her throat tight.
By the time she reached her room, her chest was burning. She shoved the door closed and leaned against it, her whole body trembling.
Her voice cracked as she whispered, “Why does he do this to me?”
She slid down to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest. Tears spilled, hot and stubborn. She buried her face in her arms, muffling the sound.
“I came here to pay off a debt,” she whispe
