A long, mahogany dining table under a massive crystal chandelier. The clinking of silver on porcelain is the only sound.Riha sits in her Royal blue silk gown, looking like a porcelain doll. Opposite her sits Julian Valerius. He isn't eating; he is staring at her, a glass of dark wine in his hand. he started talking saying "Your father told me you were a marvel, Riha. But the data didn't mention your... aesthetic. You aren't just an asset; you're a prize.""Your father told me you were a marvel, Riha. But the data didn't mention your... aesthetic. You aren't just an asset; you're a prize."Beneath the table, Julian's foot slides against hers. Riha pulls back, her knuckles turning white as she grips her napkin. Her parents continue eating, smiling at Julian's father as if nothing is happening.The air feels heavy. The smell of the expensive lilies on the table is making Riha nauseous.then he again started speaking again saying "I've seen your lab reports. Rapid cellular regeneration. I wonder... if I were to leave a mark on you, how long would it take to fade? I'd love to test the limits of your skin."
Riha's breathing hitches. She stands up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor."Excuse me. I... I need some air. The room is a bit warm."her father(Frowning) "Riha, sit down. We are discussing the merger." Julian(With a smirk) "Let her go, father-in-law. A little nervousness is charming in a bride."
our girls leaves to go out . A dimly lit, narrow corridor leading to the terrace. Riha leans against the wall, trembling, trying to take deep breaths. A shadow falls over her. Before she can turn, a heavy hand slams against the wall next to her head. Julian has followed her. A shadow falls over her. Before she can turn, a heavy hand slams against the wall next to her head. Julian has followed her."Running away? That only makes the hunt more fun, Riha."
He leans in, his breath hot against her ear. His other hand grips her waist tight enough to bruise—a bruise he knows it will heal before the morning."Your parents sold you to me. That means every inch of this 'perfect' skin belongs to me. I don't care about your photography or your dreams. I only care about how you feel under my touch."
He moves his face closer, his eyes fixed on her lips. Riha's eyes are wide with terror; her "Secondary Evolution" is screaming, her heart rate spiking. Just as he leans in to force a kiss—
Brrr-Brrr. Brrr-Brrr.
A sharp, high-tech ringtone cuts through the silence. Julian stops, inches from her face. He growls in frustration, pulling a sleek phone from his pocket.(Into phone) "I told you not to interrupt... What? The board is meeting now? Dammit." He steps back, smoothing his suit, but he leans in one last time to whisper."Consider this a delay, not a cancellation. I'll see you at the wedding. Be ready."
Riha bolts down the hallway. She enters her room and slams the door, locking it with trembling hands. She slides down the door until she is sitting on the floor. She looks at her waist—the red marks from his grip are already beginning to fade, the skin knitting back together.
"He wanted to see how long it took for the marks to fade. He didn't realize that some marks don't happen on the skin. Some marks happen on the soul. And those... those never heal. "She crawls toward her bed and reaches underneath, pulling out the small bag she had hidden. The camera, the research notes, and a single knife. In Riha's eyes,The fear is still there, but beneath it, a tiny spark of cold, black fire begins to light up.