The suspicious plan

Esme flipped the credit card over and over in her hand, a deep furrow etching itself between her brows. The extravagance of it all, the beach house, the one million credits, it felt wrong. Why this sudden, overwhelming generosity from Silas?

"But... I-I don't need these," she stammered. "I don't need your money or your property. All I want is you, Silas." Her voice trembled as she cupped his face, searching his eyes for any hint of what was driving this bizarre behavior. "Why are you doing this?"

Silas offered a strained smile, his touch cool against her skin. "I know, baby," he murmured, placing a hand over hers. "You're my girlfriend, aren't you? And boyfriends shower their girlfriends with gifts, right?"

Esme recoiled, a cold dread creeping into her heart. "Gifts? Silas, these are… more than just gifts. I can't accept something like this."