The door at the end of the Hallway

Cassandra slammed both her hands onto her mouth, stifling the gasp that threatened to escape.

It was Dante.

Her stomach twisted, her body frozen in place as she realized what she was witnessing. He was in the dim glow of the room, head tipped back, chest rising in ragged breaths. His hand moved in slow, deliberate strokes on his own body, each groan he let out low and inciting.

Blush crept up Cassandra’s face. She should turn away. She should never have come this far down the hall. And yet, her gaze refused to break. Every sound he made seemed to coil around her spine, causing her knees to wobble.

Then, with a strangled breath, Dante shuddered, his release forcing out a sharp, broken cry of “Mein Engel…”

Cassandra staggered back, her heart dropping with a thud. What was she doing? What had she just seen? Shame washed over her, yet the image of him burned hot and merciless in her mind. She would never unsee it.

She fled, nearly stumbling down the corridor before forcing herself toward the kitchen. She gulped a glass of water with shaking hands, then returned to her room, begging her mind to forget.

But she did not sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard his voice, low and ragged, whispering that name….Mein Engel….

By dawn, Cassandra’s eyes were bloodshot. She rubbed her temples as she climbed down the stairs, silently cursing herself. What kind of man hides away in a room just to… She bit her lip. No, she couldn’t even say it.

But one thing was certain. No Krüger could ever be called sane. Ironically, she was one of them now.

Just then, a warm and inviting voice called out to her “Cassandra darling,”

Cassandra spun around at the sound of her name, her mind snapping back to reality. It was Selina, gliding towards her, graceful as ever. “Oh, Mrs —”

“Don't be silly darling,” Selina waved her off dismissively, closing the space between them. “Call me Patin” she smiled sweetly, tilting her head to the side.

Cassandra blinked twice, hesitating “Uh…Patin?” It didn't quite sound right without a designation.

Selina's smile broadened “Sometimes I forget you don't speak what we speak around here. Darling, Patin means Godmother. Call me whichever you like” She glided past her, beckoning “Come now, let us have breakfast”

Cassandra followed her to the dining room, taking a seat opposite her. Once Selina sat comfortably, her expression turned serious. “Cassandra, I'm sure you know already that you aren't married to just any family”

Cassandra was quick to find her composure. She nodded in response.

“We are the Krügers,” said Selina “And now, you're one of us. Here, we live strictly by rules. I think it's time I laid down a few”

Rules? Cassandra swallowed, her curiosity piquing. “I'm listening,” she said, her eyes locked on Selina's.

Selina began “First and foremost—” but she was interrupted by the maids arriving with their breakfast. Undeterred, she continued “Never engage in deep conversation with the household staff, no matter how trivial the topic may seem.”

It was strange, nonetheless, Cassandra nodded.

Selina continued “Second, no one is allowed to discuss business over meals, unless it's to discuss ‘hypothetical scenarios’.”

“Lastly,” Selina's eyes narrowed evenly. She pointed upstairs, precisely to the left side of the hallway. “The room at the end of the hall is off limits. Even I don't know what horror lies beyond that door.” The last of her statement was a mumble loud enough for Cassandra to hear.

Cassandra averted her eyes. Horror alright.

“Selin” Dante's familiar voice graced the scene. Selina got up to her feet, putting on a respectable demeanor as she welcomed him. Cassandra quickly remembered the third rule and swiftly joined Selina in standing, her eyes glued to the food on the table.

“Good morning, love,” said Selina, leaning in for a kiss on her cheek. Dante kissed her, humming in response. It was after he sat that they both took their seats again.

“The rest?” Dante asked no one in particular as they brought out his meal.

“I wonder,” Selina shrugged her shoulders, digging into her food. “Melissa must still be upstairs in her room”

Cassandra wasn't sure how to feel at the table. She stole a glance at Dante. His expression was indifferent, his attention and focus fixed on the food before him. She couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head.   

She wanted to keep to herself, but suddenly blurted out after Selina said:

“As for Viktor…”

“He went to the gym” Cassandra cut in, her eyes never leaving her meal. The haunting silence that followed forced her to add “Viktor left a note on the table to inform me,” her voice gradually lost its volume as she spoke.

Silence settled. A deep, ensuing silence. Cassandra's eyes remained glued to her plate. She mechanically began to pick up tiny morsels with her spoon and pretend to chew on them.

Thankfully, Viktor couldn't have come at a better time. But his appearance did nothing to erase the lingering awareness that Dante's eyes had never once left her.

––––

By noon, Cassandra could no longer bear being cooped up in her room. The thoughts of Dante and that forbidden door at the end of the hallway gnawed at her until her chest felt heavy. She needed air, clarity… anything to take her mind off them.

But there was no one she could confide in. Kara was out of the question. Working at a media company, her friend had too many loose lips around her. One slip, and the secret of this house would spread like wildfire.

Cassandra rubbed her temples as she wandered aimlessly along the corridor, her steps slow, her thoughts darker than she wanted to admit. Viktor had left earlier with an excuse of “urgent” work. That left her with troubled thoughts.

She paused at the top of the grand staircase, her hand resting lightly on the polished banister. That was when she saw it.

Two men barged in through the foyer, dragging someone between them. The stranger was beaten, gagged, and bound so tightly he could barely keep his head upright. His hair was stained with blood, and his muffled groans echoed.

Cassandra held her breath.

They dragged him past the dining hall without hesitation, vanishing into one of the deeper corridors.

Her eyes darted across the house. The maids around continued dusting, polishing, arranging flowers….as if nothing unusual had just happened. No panic, no concern, nothing!

Cassandra’s brows came together. Why wasn’t anyone reacting? Who was that man?

Her curiosity ignited.

Before she realized it, her feet were already moving. She followed them down the corridor, her heart pounding hard against her chest.

And then she froze.

From behind the heavy oak doors, she heard a deep, commanding voice.

Dante’s voice.

“Bring him inside. I’ll decide what to do with our little rat.”