The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Valentine walked into the kitchen, still half thinking about last night.
The rose was kept carefully near the window.
She picked up a glass—
Then paused.
A voice.
From the other room.
Artavius.
"…do I have to kill her?"
Valentine froze.
The glass slipped slightly in her hand.
Her heart stopped.
"…no… never."
A pause.
"She trusts me."
Valentine's eyes widened.
"I can't."
Her breathing got shallow.
Another voice.
Through the phone.
Faint.
"It's my order."
Her grip tightened.
Order?
Kill?
Her mind raced.
"…I won't follow it."
Silence.
Then—
"…you have to."
A pause.
Long.
"…okay."
Valentine's heart dropped.
OKAY????
He said okay.
Her thoughts exploded.
No no no no—
He's going to kill me??
WHY AM I SO CALM???
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE CALM—
She started pacing.
I didn't even travel the whole world—
I haven't even tried street food properly—
I STILL HAVEN'T FALLEN IN LOVE—
She froze.
"…wait."
Is he going to kill me before I even fall in love??
"…that's illegal."
Another pause.
Should I run?
No—what if he runs faster?
He literally said he's faster.
Her eyes darted around.
Weapon.
Her gaze landed on—
A frying pan.
"…perfect."
She grabbed it.
Okay Valentine… think.
If he comes…
You hit.
Hard.
Like in martial arts.
Head? Shoulder?
"…head."
Yes.
Knock him out.
Escape.
Live.
Simple.
She stood there.
Pan in hand.
Heart racing.
Then—
Footsteps.
Closer.
"…Valentine?"
She froze.
He entered the kitchen—
Calm.
Unaware.
"I have to go ou—"
"I'M SORRY, ARTAVIUS!"
BAM—
The pan hit—
hard.
"…!"
This time—
His head.
Artavius staggered.
Vision blurring.
"…you—"
Then—
He collapsed.
Silence.
Valentine froze.
"…oh no."
She dropped the pan immediately.
"ARTAVIUS??"
No response.
Her breathing sped up.
"…did I kill him??"
She rushed to the door—
Pulled it.
Locked.
"…password?"
She turned back—
Looked at him lying on the floor.
"…great."
She grabbed his arm.
"Okay… okay… wake up…"
Tried to drag him.
Didn't move.
"…WHY ARE YOU SO HEAVY??"
She let go, breathing hard.
"…think, Valentine, think…"
A pause.
"…okay."
She sat on the couch.
"…when he wakes up… I'll convince him not to kill me."
She nodded to herself.
"…yes. smart."
A few seconds later—
She casually picked up a book.
"…I should read while I wait."
Meanwhile—
Artavius still unconscious on the floor
AFTER SOME TIME.
He moved slightly.
Groaned.
Slowly opened his eyes.
Valentine looked up immediately.
"Oh—you woke up!"
She smiled.
"Have you read this book? It's actually really good—"
"…why?"
His voice low.
Serious.
She blinked.
"What—what?"
He sat up slowly, holding his head.
"…why did you hit me?"
"…oh."
A pause.
"…you were going to kill me."
Silence.
He looked at her.
Then suddenly—
Grabbed her wrist.
She flinched.
"Artavius—"
He didn't listen.
Pulled out the handcuffs.
Clicked one side around her wrist.
The other—
Locked to a metal hook fixed into the wall.
She froze.
"…you're so cruel."
"…shut up."
Her eyes filled instantly.
"…leave me."
No response.
He stood up—
Still slightly dizzy—
And walked away, picking up something.
A weapon.
Valentine's breath hitched.
"…do you have a heart of stone?"
No answer.
"Please… let me go…"
Her voice shook now.
"I'm just… I'm just an innocent soul…"
"…shut up."
Tears slipped down her face.
And then—
She said it.
"…your aunt Ewilyn…"
A pause.
"…she must have been just as cruel."
Silence.
Everything stopped.
Artavius froze.
Slowly turned.
"…what did you say?"
Valentine didn't realize.
Still crying.
Still angry.
"…you're just like her… someone who hides their real emotions…"
That was it.
In a second—
He was in front of her.
Grabbed her wrist harshly.
"Artavius—!"
Dragged her.
Downstairs.
Basement door slammed open.
Cold air rushed in.
Snow blowing through a broken window.
Dark. Freezing.
He pushed her forward.
"Put it on."
She shook her head, panicking.
"Artavius please—"
"ON. THE. POLE."
His voice—
Cold.
Dangerous.
She trembled.
Slowly—
Did it.
He locked it.
Turned away.
"…you deserve this."
The door shut.
Silence.
Only the sound of cold wind.
And her breathing.