But If You Insist...

The mansion was unusually quiet as the afternoon light filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Avilyn stood by the kitchen counter, absently stirring a cup of tea, her thoughts swirling like the steam rising from her mug.

Something didn't sit right with her. It had been hours since Lilith had left, and the knot of unease in her chest had only tightened.

"Something's off," she murmured to herself, her fingers tightening around the delicate porcelain handle.

She replayed Lilith's words from earlier that morning. She had mentioned meeting Jefferson, her co-worker from the modeling agency, for a "quick shoot."

On the surface, it had seemed innocent enough, but the location she had mentioned—a secluded spot far from the usual cityscape—sent a prickle of alarm through Avilyn's mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.