Victoria's heart slammed against her ribs as her father's footsteps echoed up the stairs.
'This isn't how it was supposed to go. I'm the one who plans everything. I'm the one in control.'
Her fingers twitched toward her phone, muscle memory from a hundred previous escapes.
But Sakura's hand caught her wrist. The older woman's grip was like steel wrapped in silk.
"Your father and I have much to discuss," Sakura said, voice honey-sweet with poison underneath.
'How? How did she arrange this?'
---
Akira watched the color drain from Victoria's face. It was beautiful.
'Finally. Someone else is the prey.'
He'd spent weeks playing the innocent target, letting her think she was the hunter. But mother had taught him better than that.
"Victoria?" Her father's voice carried through the door. "Are you in there?"
She flinched. Actually flinched.
'Oh, you beautiful, broken thing. You thought you were the only one who knew how to stalk?'
---
James Chen had known something was wrong with his daughter for years.
The missing persons reports. The restraining orders. The quiet settlements.
'But this time...' He touched the envelope in his pocket. Photos of Victoria following the Tanaka boy.
"Mr. Chen." Sakura opened the door with a practiced smile. "Please, join us."
His eyes found Victoria, cornered like a wild animal.
"What have you done now?" he asked her.
---
Victoria's mind raced through escape scenarios.
Window? Third floor. Fire escape? Too far.
"Nothing," she said. "I've done nothing."
But Akira's laugh made her freeze. Low, knowing.
'He knew. He's known all along.'
"Your daughter," Sakura said, "has been following my son."
James Chen sighed. "Again, Victoria?"
"But this time," Sakura continued, "it's exactly what we wanted."
---
Akira moved closer to Victoria, enjoying how she tensed.
'Watch carefully, little stalker. See how the real game is played.'
"Your daughter's obsession," his mother said, "matches perfectly with our family's needs."
Victoria's head snapped up. "What?"
"The Chen family's wealth. Our family's... particular talents." Sakura's smile grew. "A perfect match."
'Mother really is brilliant,' Akira thought. 'Trading one cage for another.'
---
James Chen wasn't surprised. He'd investigated the Tanakas thoroughly.
Three generations of arranged marriages. Three generations of carefully cultivated obsessions.
"You're proposing an arrangement?" he asked.
"Your daughter needs structure for her impulses. My son needs someone devoted enough to keep up with him."
Victoria's breath caught. "Keep up with...?"
Akira's hand slid along her arm. "Did you really think you were the only hunter here?"
---
Victoria felt the world tilt.
'All this time. Every move I made. They were letting me.'
But instead of fear, she felt something else. Something electric.
"You wanted me to stalk you?" she whispered.
Akira's lips brushed her ear. "I chose you the moment you first followed me into that store."
'He's just like me.'
---
Sakura watched the realization bloom in Victoria's eyes.
'Perfect. Just perfect.'
"So," she said to James, "shall we discuss the terms?"
But before he could answer, a new voice cut through the room.
"I'm afraid there's been a change of plans."
Everyone turned.
In the doorway stood a woman Sakura hadn't seen in fifteen years.
Akira's breath hitched. "Mother... who is that?"
The woman smiled. "Hello, sister dear. Did you really think you could arrange my son's marriage without me?"
Victoria felt Akira's hand tighten on her arm.
'His real mother?'
Sakura's mask cracked, just for a moment.
"Yumi," she said. "You're supposed to be dead."