Chapter 3

Considering the unknown dangers of the war zone I was heading to, I decided to bury my grandmother in a cemetery on Long Island.

I bought a sterling silver cremation pendant and placed a lock of Grandma's silver hair along with a small amount of her ashes inside, wearing it close to my heart.

The rest of her ashes were laid to rest underground.

I knelt before the damp tombstone, clutching the pendant tightly in my palm. The cold metal pressed painfully against my skin.

"Grandma, rest easy. I will take your love with me and do something truly meaningful."

"I will live on, for both of us."

It was evening by the time I returned to the Johnson estate.

Before I even entered, I could hear elegant violin music and laughter drifting from the living room.

Gavin was hosting a small family dinner tonight to celebrate Elena's return.

I pushed the door open, bringing the damp chill of the rain and the cemetery with me, looking completely out of place in this warm, luxurious world.

"Ivy, you're back?"

Gavin was standing by the fireplace, holding a wine glass. Seeing my disheveled state, he frowned slightly, as if I had embarrassed him.

He walked over quickly and gentlemanly took my wet coat, though his tone carried a hint of reproach.

"Look at you. Go change your clothes quickly. There are two important people I want you to meet."

I followed his gaze.

On the leather sofa sat the man I hated to my core, Kalen.

And the woman surrounded like a star, Elena.

Even though I knew the truth, seeing that face right in front of me still triggered an uncontrollable physical tremble.

Gavin's voice sounded in my ear, filled with a self-righteous warmth:

"Elena is a childhood friend I grew up with. Kalen is my twin brother. They just got back from Switzerland specifically to attend our wedding."

Elena was wearing an expensive white Chanel couture gown, looking like a proud swan.

Seeing me, she set down her glass and walked over gracefully in her high heels.

"Hi, Ivy."

She smiled sweetly, but her eyes glinted with malice.

"Long time no see. Thanks to your 'care' back then, I've always wanted to thank you in person."

She emphasized the word "care."

As she spoke, she affectionately linked her arm through mine, leaning close to my ear like a best friend.

The cloying scent of her perfume made me want to retch.

"Cat got your tongue? You were pretty loud back in the school bathrooms."

My body went stiff, and I instinctively tried to pull my hand away.

"Don't touch me."

Just as I pulled my hand back.

"Ah!"

Elena suddenly let out a cry.

The red wine in her hand splashed violently all over herself.

The dark red liquid instantly stained the pristine white couture gown, looking shocking, like a winding, bloody scar.

"My dress... Gavin gave this to me as a welcome gift..."

Elena's eyes turned red instantly. Tears swirled in her eyes, stubbornly refusing to fall.

"Ivy, I know you don't like me... but today is my welcome party. Why would you humiliate me like this?"

"Is it because you're jealous that Gavin treats me well? If that's the case, I can leave..."

The surrounding guests fell silent instantly, their gazes piercing me like sharp swords.

Kalen sat on the sofa and whistled, looking like he was enjoying the show. "Tsk tsk, sister-in-law's jealousy really lives up to its reputation."

Gavin's face darkened completely.

He strode over, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over Elena, covering her mess.

Then, he turned to look at me.

In those deep eyes, there was no anger, only a bone-chilling disappointment.

"Ivy."

His voice was low and powerful, carrying an undeniable pressure.

"You need to apologize."

I looked at the three of them.

I saw the smugness at the corner of Elena's mouth, the mockery in Kalen's eyes, and the sanctimonious "I'm doing this for your own good" look on Gavin's face.

In the past, I would have cried and explained, begging him to believe me.

But now, I just found it laughable.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?"

I straightened my back and looked Gavin in the eye coldly.

"She threw it on herself."

"Enough!"

Gavin rubbed his brow, seemingly heartbroken by my "obstinacy."

"Elena is a guest, and she is my savior. As the future mistress of this house, instead of being magnanimous and tolerant, you publicly embarrassed her."

"Ivy, where are your manners?"

"It seems the easy life these past few years has made you forget how to be a decent person."

With that, he grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm but didn't hurt me.

He dragged me all the way to a lounge off the side of the first-floor hall.

It connected to the underground wine cellar and was usually very quiet.

Gavin let go and adjusted my slightly messy collar, his tone returning to that lofty, suffocating gentlemanly demeanor.

"Ivy, you've disappointed me."

"You're too emotional right now to be in the banquet hall. Stay here and calm down."

"Once you've thought it through and learned how to respect Elena, I'll have someone come get you."

He gave me one last deep look filled with "tough love" disappointment, then turned and strode out of the lounge.

The door wasn't locked.

He didn't restrict my freedom; he was just acting like a strict parent punishing an unruly child.

I stood in the empty lounge, listening to his fading footsteps, a sarcastic smile curling on my lips.

That was Gavin.

Even when punishing me, he had to maintain his facade of decency.

However.

Moments after Gavin left, the lounge door was pushed open again.

This time, it was Elena, who had changed into casual clothes.

The grievance and frailty on her face had vanished, replaced by a chilling maliciousness.

"Tsk tsk, Ivy, Gavin sure is 'gentle' with you."

Elena approached step by step, playing with a spare key she had stolen from the butler.

"Just reflecting in the lounge? That's letting you off too easy."

I stepped back warily. "What do you want?"

"I want you to relive some old memories."

Elena smiled eerily and suddenly lunged, shoving the unprepared me toward the side door at the back of the lounge.

It was the entrance to the deep underground wine cellar!

"Get in there!"

Caught off guard, I tumbled into the dark, cold space.

*Bang—!*

The heavy soundproof door slammed shut behind me.

Then came the sound of the lock turning.

"Elena! Open the door!"

I rushed over and pounded frantically on the door, terror drowning me like a tidal wave.

"Gavin only said I had to stay in the lounge! You have no right to lock me in!"

Elena's triumphant laughter came from outside, muffled by the door.

"This *is* Gavin's idea."

She lied without skipping a beat, her tone filled with the thrill of revenge.

"He said the lounge is too comfortable for you to truly reflect."

"He said since your heart is so black, you should stay in a pitch-black place to wash it clean."

"Enjoy yourself, Ivy. I chose this spot specifically because I know you're claustrophobic."

"Don't expect Gavin to save you. Tonight, he'll be in my room, comforting my poor, frightened heart."

The sound of high heels faded away.

The world fell into a dead silence.

This was the second basement level. No windows, no light, only the low hum of the central air conditioning.

The absolute darkness instantly awakened the nightmare buried deep in my heart.

"No... don't go..."

I slid down against the door to the floor, shaking violently.

Breathing became difficult, as if someone was strangling me.

I curled into a ball, clutching the ash pendant against my chest, my nails digging deep into my flesh.

I rushed to brace against the door, my voice cracking with fear.

"I have claustrophobia! You know that! It's too dark... please don't lock the door!"

The memory of being locked in the equipment room by Elena for two whole days back in school was the nightmare of my life.

Since then, I had to sleep with the lights on and couldn't handle closed, dark spaces.

Gavin knew this.

When I told him, he had held me with heartache, promising to be my light.

But now, no one heard my cries for help.

I curled up, gripping the pendant, sinking gradually into despair.