The close call in the laundry room left a permanent mark on Elena. For the next two days, she moved through the house like a ghost — quiet, avoiding eye contact with Marcus, and sticking close to her mother whenever possible. Victoria noticed the change and commented on it once during breakfast, asking if everything was okay with the breakup. Elena lied smoothly, blaming lingering sadness over Jake. Marcus played along perfectly, offering fatherly advice with a straight face while his eyes promised something much darker when they were alone.

By the third day, the tension had become unbearable. Victoria left for a full day at the office — an...