FEW DAYS LATER

Sydney's POV

I woke up to a silent house. Not that it was always noisy in the mansion, but there was usually a buzzing energy in the atmosphere—the sound of Tavon's business-like voice (very distinct from the one he used in that room) making calls, or the distant sounds of whips, the clatter of plates in the kitchen, the murmurs and quiet giggles of Tavon's staff as they chatted animatedly and cracked jokes among themselves.

I had grown accustomed to a quiet but not-so-quiet mansion, but this morning? The mansion was dead silent. If a pin dropped, I swear, it would echo throughout the mansion. It was...