chapter 3

I grabbed his hand, almost begging, "The storage room in the basement has no lights. James, you know how afraid of the dark I am. Please, don't make me go in there.

"I'll do anything, just don't lock me in. I'm begging you."

Before Evelyn showed up, I had never humbled myself to him like this, never begged him so desperately.

He used to tell me I'd always be his princess, and princesses never have to bow.

But now, it was clear that his princess wasn't me anymore.

I forced a bitter laugh, but tears soon followed.

James didn't even hesitate. He yanked his hand free, and the servants dragged me downstairs.

The basement was pitch-black. The storage room was even darker. The servant shoved me inside roughly.

The door slammed shut with a heavy clang.

It was a heavy iron door. No matter how hard I banged on it, no one responded.

The world seemed to fall silent at that moment.

I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees. The darkness pressed in from every side.

I didn't know how long it had been when I suddenly heard something outside. My heart lifted. "James?"

But it wasn't James who answered—it was Evelyn.

She stood against the light, smug and condescending. "Ava, I'm not James. I'm here to bring you a little gift."

"What gift?" I froze, confused.

Then I heard squeaking—sharp and shrill.

I saw her holding a metal cage filled with rats, an evil grin spreading across her face.

Evelyn said, "I was worried you'd get lonely down here at night, so I brought you some company.

"Now you won't have to sleep alone tonight."

Her voice was sweet and innocent, but every word dripped with malice.

A chill ran through me. "You wouldn't dare! Where's James? I want to see him!"

I tried to rush out, but she yanked me back, and I hit the ground hard.

"James is upstairs running a bath for me. Oh, that's right—we'll be taking it together later," Evelyn said it casually as she tossed the cage right at my feet.

She flipped the latch. The rats squeaked and burst out.

Pure terror shot through me.

"Ah—!" I screamed uncontrollably and bolted for the door.

Before I reached it, the iron door slammed shut again. I slammed right into the cold metal.

Then I felt something tickling, nibbling at my feet.

Under the faint light, I saw them—rats.

And not just one—there were dozens of them, crawling

around my feet.

"Ahhh—!" I passed out from fear.

When I woke up again, it was morning.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw that countless rats were gnawing on me, my skin already torn and raw beyond recognition.

"Aaaah—!" As I screamed and thrashed to shake them off, the door burst open, and there I was, filthy and shaking, facing James.

The rats scattered in all directions, terrified.

"Oh my god, rats!" Evelyn screamed.