Black Card
Lucas’s words kept echoing in his mind, repeating like a sentence he couldn’t escape.
He moved mechanically. A long, deliberate shower—exactly as Cassey had ordered.
He scrubbed until his skin felt raw. He brushed his teeth three times, until his gums ached, rinsing with mouthwash twice more as if he could erase something invisible that clung to him.
When he finally stepped out, he didn’t hesitate. He discarded his clothes into the bin without a second glance, dressed in a simple set of casual wear, and sprayed a light cologne—Belle’s favorite scent on him.