A woman dressed in servant’s attire lowered her head, placed a tray of food on the table, and retreated without a word.

"Eat."

Cassidy Montgomery didn't bother with pretenses. She grabbed the tray and shoveled the food into her mouth, ravenous. Romeo Marshall leaned back on the sofa, watching her with a twisted, predatory appreciation.

"Smart. They say those who know their place are the truly wise, and you, Miss Montgomery, are nothing if not clever."

Cassidy finished eating, wiped her mouth, and looked up at him, her eyes steady despite the fear. "Out with it. Who are you?"

Romeo leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees until his face was inches from hers. "Cassidy Montgomery. The adopted daughter who turned on her own family—a real-life 'farmer and the snake' fable. But honestly? I’ve always had a soft spot for sirens like you."

His gaze was so lecherous and raw it felt like a physical violation, as if he were peeling her skin away. Cassidy wrapped her arms around herself, trembling, and lashed out. "What do you want?"

Romeo’s expression soured instantly. He pulled back, looking at her with genuine disgust. "Spare me the theatrics. You’re a discarded ball that’s been kicked around by everyone. You think I’d actually want you? I’m not a dumpster diver."

"Then quit the taunting and just say it. What is your goal?"

"I want you to kill Evangeline Montgomery. I think we both know that’s exactly what you’ve been dying to do, isn't it?"

Cassidy locked eyes with his venomous gaze, searching for a sign of leverage. "I just got out of that hellhole. I don’t plan on going back."

"Refuse? Fine. Then you’ll become just another piece of merchandise for my black market. Whether you end up gutted for your organs or auctioned off for flesh trade… well, that depends on your current market value, doesn't it?"

His smile didn't reach his eyes; his entire presence radiated a sharp, violent malice. Cassidy knew he wasn't bluffing.

The air grew heavy. Romeo leaned in further. "Don't you want to see your son?"

A flicker of light ignited in Cassidy’s eyes. The child. The one taken from her the moment he was born—the only remaining tether between her and Jonah Harrison.

"Do you even know what his name is?" Romeo’s voice dripped with icy mockery. "Jonah-Evie! Jonah-Evie Harrison. Isn't that hilarious?"

Cassidy froze, then lunged, grabbing his sleeve with frantic, clawing fingers. "What? What did you say his name was?"

"You heard me. He’s named Jonah-Evie. A tribute to Jonah Harrison’s undying devotion to Evangeline Montgomery. How’s that for a gut-punch?"

Cassidy collapsed to the floor, a desolate, jagged laugh tearing through her throat.

"Psychological warfare is a nasty business, isn't it? Take your time to think it over, Miss Montgomery."

Romeo peeled off his jacket, disgusted that she had touched it, and tossed it into the trash can. He slammed the door behind him, leaving her in the dark. Even through the wood, he could hear her frantic, manic sobbing. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Romeo, who is that?" Flynn Marshall asked from the hallway.

"The Montgomerys' stray dog."

Flynn looked at him in disbelief. "Are you serious? You’ve been setting traps for Evangeline for years, wasting so much money and manpower, and you’re still not done?"

"I will never rest until she is buried. Never!"

"Geez, did you fall for her or something? Is this a lover's spat turned deadly?"

Romeo snapped, driving his elbow into Flynn’s nose with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed everywhere.

"Say that again and I’ll bury you right here!"

Flynn clutched his face, staring at the warm, dark blood staining his palms. "Damn it all to hell!"

The roar of his rage echoed through the estate.

Inside the room, the silence returned, thick and suffocating. Cassidy spent the night in a fever of madness, tracing the contours of her plan. She knew exactly what she had to do. Romeo wasn't in a rush; he was content to let her spirit erode until she finally snapped.

"Open the door! Let me out!"

She pounded on the door until her knuckles bled. The house remained deathly silent, as if she were the only living thing in an empty tomb. Her voice eventually failed, reduced to a raspy whisper. She slumped against the base of the door, knees pulled to her chest, her tears falling in steady, hot streaks.

*Click.*

The door swung open.

"Well, Miss Montgomery? Have you reached a decision?" Romeo stood in the doorway, brushing an imaginary speck of dust off his collar with his fingertips.

"I’ll do it!" Cassidy forced herself up, her eyes burning with a desperate, sharp resolve.

"Good. Smart choice. Get yourself cleaned up. You smell like a pigsty."

His blatant disdain made Cassidy feel small, a worthless thing to be discarded. The prideful rose had been forced to bow its head, shrinking into herself to disappear.

Led by a maid to a sterile, minimalist room, Cassidy stared at the blank walls. Everything was so simple, so devoid of character—like a box left in a warehouse.

In the shower, she scrubbed at her skin with a rough sponge, trying to scour away the filth of her current existence. She rubbed until her skin turned raw and bled in tiny red pinpricks. She stepped out, pressing her palms against the mirror.

"Who are you?" she whispered to her reflection. "Ah, right… you’re me."

She looked at the madness in her own eyes and felt a sudden, sharp coldness.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

"Miss, are you alright?" the maid asked from outside.

Cassidy opened the door and glared at her, but the girl kept her head lowered, eyes on the floor.

"Pathetic," Cassidy sneered. "She’s been broken down to a perfect robot."

"Do you like my little pet, Miss Montgomery?" Romeo appeared in the doorway, hands in his pockets, leaning against the frame with a wicked smirk.

"I’m just admiring your methods, sir."

His massive frame loomed over her, casting a long, dark shadow that pressed the air right out of her lungs. She couldn't stop the internal shudder of fear.

"What are you afraid of?" Romeo reached out, his heavy hands gripping her shoulders. He tilted his head, the scar on his cheek giving him a savage, untamed beauty.

Cassidy pulled away, dodging his touch. "Just speak. There’s no need to get so close."

"Ha. I’m actually starting to like your spirit."

"Enough talk. Tell me what to do."

Romeo pulled an envelope from his jacket and tossed it at her feet. "Inside, you’ll find documents and cash. Figure it out yourself."

"Why are you so obsessed with destroying Evangeline?"

Romeo’s eyes swirled with a dark, bottomless hatred. "My real target is Marcellus Alexander. You do this right, and I’ll treat you like royalty. I’ll even throw Jonah Harrison at your feet."

Cassidy let out a cold laugh. "If it were such an easy task, you wouldn't need me. You’re at the end of your rope, aren't you?"

Before the words finished leaving her mouth, a heavy hand clamped around her throat. The grip was so firm she could feel her windpipe buckling. Her eyes bulged, the vessels in her sclera fracturing, turning her eyes a terrifying, bloodshot red.

"A pawn should know its place. That sharp tongue of yours is going to get you killed."

Just as the world began to fade into black, he threw her aside like a discarded doll.

"Rest up for a few days before you head out. I don’t need you dropping dead on the road before you’ve earned your keep."

He turned on his heel and strode out. Cassidy collapsed on the floor, gasping for air, her throat screaming in agony.

"Help… me…" she wheezed at the maid.

But the maid remained as motionless as a machine, head bowed, empty of soul. Cassidy’s muscles spasmed, her body beginning to convulse as her vision blurred. Her hand, outstretched in a desperate plea for help, finally went limp, crashing against the hardwood floor.

She had been wrong from the very beginning.