But he only tilted his head slightly, regarding her with those obsidian eyes that held no warmth, no mercy.
"You belong to me, Yueyao."
The ground beneath her cracked open into a gaping abyss, and she fell.
Fell endlessly into darkness, her screams swallowed by the cold void until there was nothing left but silence… and his voice whispering in the darkness.
"Mine. Forever."
CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE MASTER BEDROOM – EARLY MORNING
Shen Xiao stood silently along the dim corridor, dressed in his crisp white dress shirt with the top buttons undone and dark slacks.
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing the faint veins along his forearms as he leaned against the cool marble wall, his tall frame half-shrouded in shadows.
The golden wall sconces flickered softly, casting a warm glow that did nothing to ease the heavy exhaustion etched into his chiseled features.
He hadn't slept all night.