The newly furnished bedroom was lavish—walls paneled in dark oak, curtains drawn back to let in the silver wash of moonlight across the balcony. A decanter of brandy gleamed amber on the sideboard beside a pair of crystal glasses.
Theo closed the door behind them with a decisive click. The air shifted at once; the distant sounds of the household faded until it felt as though the world had narrowed to just the two of them.
He looked at Yu with an expression that was part triumph, part hunger—an intensity that made Yu's skin prickle even as he forced a calm, almost coy smile. His heart was steady only because he had rehearsed this in his mind again and again:
The act he had to play to make the plan work.
Theo took a step closer.
"You were perfect tonight."
He said, his voice low, carrying an unguarded warmth that might have seemed romantic to anyone else.
"Finally, the world knows you're mine."
