Edward walked toward the east wing, his footsteps measured against the marble floor.
The sounds reached him long before he reached the door.
Muffled at first. Distant. Then louder with each step.
A woman's moan... low, desperate, building. The rhythmic creak of furniture under strain. A man's groan, deep and primal, accompanied by ragged breathing.
Edward's pace didn't falter.
The corridor stretched before him, each step bringing the sounds into sharper focus. Flesh meeting flesh. Gasps that spiraled higher. A woman's voice crying out...shameless, desperate, lost in pleasure.
He stopped before the ornate double doors.
Inside, the tempo had increased. Frantic now. Chasing something.
"Yes... yes... faster... don't stop..."
"I'm close... God, I'm so close... don't you dare stop..."
Edward stood motionless.
Something stirred in his chest. Not anger. Not jealousy.
Thrill.
