LILA'S POV

I turned to look at him, hoping-praying-he would tell me he was joking. But his look was dead serious. Dead serious.

Once again, I'm reminded of the contract I signed. Once again, I'm reminded that I have zero say.

My skin feels like it should crawl off my bones-irritated, clawing, and upsetting[.]

"The countdown begins, little hornet," he slurs.

His fingers snap.

The room falls into an awkward, unnatural silence like he's the fucking king of the entire place.

Not a word. He doesn't say anything. He just looks.

Those same unreadable looks he always flashes me. But this time, something's different. The hatred isn't there. Instead, his...