You always find a way to render me speechless..

Zerina's point of view

The taxi stopped in front of a towering black gate, the kind that whispered of power. The driver turned slightly, glancing at me from the rearview mirror. "We're here, miss."

I blinked, my eyes travelled up to the enormous iron bars rising like a fortress in front of me. My throat tightened. "A-Are you sure this is the place? This.. this looks like.. like a..."

I didn't know what to call it, but for sure, it just didn't look like a house.

The driver gave a short chuckle. "This is the address you gave me. The Slade Mansion. You're in the right place, miss."

I swallowed hard, staring at the intricate golden emblem embedded in the gate— the emblem of the Slade family. I stepped out of the taxi, the air surrounding me was crisp against my skin.

The moment I approached the gates, it opened soundlessly, like it had been expecting me. My heart pounded faster.

I have been here before, but now, it doesn't feel the same. That time, everything had been a blur of fea