Marion intervened quickly.
"Richard, thank you for coming. Please, come in." He said.
Richard stepped inside, and the atmosphere in the room shifted. The conversation turned to small talk, but I could sense the underlying tension. Every word, every gesture, seemed to be a test to uncover what I might be hiding.
At one point, Richard leaned in just a bit too close. "You know," he said quietly, "there are rumors swirling about you. They say you're not who you claim to be."
His eyes bore into mine, and I felt as if he was trying to see through the walls I had built around my past.
I met his gaze evenly. "I assure you, I'm exactly who I say I am," I replied firmly, though my voice wavered slightly.
Richard laughed softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "We shall see, won't we?" he murmured.