The sun had already begun sinking lower by the time they finished walking through the gardens. Golden light spilled across the estate, painting the white walls and fountains in warm colors that almost made the villa feel peaceful.

Almost.

Tyler’s hand rested possessively against Jean’s lower back as they walked slowly along the stone pathway. His mood had visibly improved after the kiss. More relaxed. Much less guarded around her.

Which meant Jean’s act was working.

And she hated herself for it.

Still, she forced herself to continue.

She glanced toward the distant coastline beyond the estate walls before quietly saying, "Can we go out for dinner tonight?"

Tyler stopped walking.

Jean immediately felt the subtle shift in the air.

His fingers tightened slightly against her waist. Not painful. But warning enough.

"Outside?" He repeated carefully.

Jean nodded faintly, keeping her expression soft. "Just for dinner." She gave a small shrug. "I haven’t seen anything beyond this house yet."

Tyler studied her silently for several long seconds. Too long.

Then finally, he tilted his head slightly and asked with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, "You’re not trying this hard just to look for a way out, are you?"

Jean’s heartbeat nearly stumbled.

There it was.

Suspicion in his eyes.

One wrong reaction and everything she’d built today would collapse.

So instead of panicking, Jean slowly stepped closer to him. Close enough for her fingers to lightly touch the front of his shirt.

Then she looked up at him with tired eyes and whispered quietly, "Even if I tried... where would I go?"

Tyler’s expression flickered.

Jean swallowed the disgust rising in her throat and continued softly, "The world already thinks I’m dead." Her voice trembled just enough to sound believable. "You made sure of that."

For a moment, Tyler actually looked guilty.

Jean pressed forward carefully before he could think too deeply.

"I’ve already accepted that my life changed the moment you brought me here." She lowered her gaze. "I’m going nowhere."

Silence.

Dangerous silence.

Then slowly... Tyler’s hand rose to her face. His thumb brushed gently against her cheek while something disturbingly emotional filled his eyes. Relief. Hope. Possession.

"You have no idea how long I waited to hear that," he murmured.

Jean forced herself not to look away.

Inside, however, her mind was racing.

If Tyler agreed to dinner outside... she could learn the city, hear the language, identify landmarks, maybe find civilians, maybe even find a way to contact someone.

This could become her first real opportunity and Tyler... blinded by love and victory... was dangerously close to giving it to her.

Tyler looked genuinely pleased by her request.

"Then it’s settled," he said softly. "Tonight, I’ll take you out properly."

Jean gave a small nod, carefully masking the storm of emotions inside her chest.

Tyler guided her back through the villa, his hand resting against her waist the entire way as though he couldn’t stop touching her now that she had finally begun "accepting" him. Guards stepped aside the moment they passed, lowering their heads respectfully.

Again, that strange unease curled inside Jean.

This wasn’t normal wealth.

This was power.

When they reached her bedroom door, Tyler turned toward her slowly. His fingers brushed lightly against her cheek before he leaned down and captured her lips in another lingering kiss.

Jean forced herself not to tense. Forced herself to respond just enough to keep the illusion alive.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes lingered on her face almost tenderly.

"I’ll send the perfect dress for tonight’s dinner," he murmured. "Until then... rest up."

Jean lowered her gaze slightly and whispered, "Thanks for everything, Tyler."

The words seemed to hit him deeply. For a second, she thought he might actually say I love you.

Instead, Tyler simply smiled and stepped back.

The bedroom door clicked shut behind him.

The second the lock engaged, Jean’s entire expression shattered.

She rushed toward the bathroom, slamming the door behind her before locking it with trembling hands. Then she dropped to her knees in front of the toilet and violently threw up everything she had forced herself to eat.

Her body shook uncontrollably.

The taste of him still lingered on her lips. The memory of kissing him made her stomach churn harder until tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

When there was nothing left inside her, Jean stayed there for several seconds, gripping the edge of the sink while trying to breathe.

Slowly, she lifted her head toward the mirror.

Her reflection looked broken. Pale. Hollow-eyed.

For a moment, she barely recognized herself anymore.

A sob escaped her throat as she stared at the woman in the mirror.

"Why..." her voice cracked weakly. "Why is God punishing me like this?"

Fresh tears slid down her cheeks.

Every time she tried to survive, life dragged her into another nightmare. First Tyler destroyed her innocence. Then her family destroyed her child. And now she was trapped in another country pretending to smile at the man who ruined her life—all while Logan probably believed she was dead.

Jean pressed a trembling hand against her mouth to stop herself from breaking down completely.

No.

She couldn’t fall apart now.

Not when this might be her only chance to escape.

Slowly, painfully, Jean wiped her tears away and looked back at herself in the mirror.

Then, with shaking fingers, she whispered quietly to her reflection... "Hold on a little longer."

Jean had barely managed to wash her face when a knock sounded against the bedroom door.

Only once.

Before she could even answer, the door opened.

Jean stiffened instantly.

Tyler walked in like he owned not only the room—but the air inside it. Two women followed quietly behind him, both dressed in elegant black uniforms that matched the luxury of the villa. Their eyes remained lowered respectfully.

"Did you rest up?" Tyler asked softly as though he hadn’t just entered without permission.

Jean forced herself to stay calm while he approached her. His hands gently cupped her face, thumbs brushing beneath her eyes as if checking whether she had cried.

"Yeah," she replied quietly. "I did."