The days began to blur together in a dangerous rhythm. Elena threw herself into small distractions—helping Victoria with garden planning, going for longer runs in the rain, even calling old college friends—but nothing could erase the constant awareness of Marcus. He was everywhere: in the hallway when she passed, in the kitchen making coffee, in her thoughts every single night when she tried to sleep. The guilt had become a constant companion, but so had the craving.

On the third night after the shower, Victoria left for an overnight trip to Portland for a client meeting. The house felt bigger, emptier, and far more dangerous without her presence as a...