Chapter 12 The Great Escape

• Cleo's POV
• The days following my meeting with Russo were filled with a strange, tense calm. The mansion was as quiet as ever, but I was allowed to roam more freely, exploring the house’s dark corridors and vast, empty rooms. It was clear that Russo was testing me, giving me a taste of freedom to see if I would betray his trust. But I knew better than to act rashly.
• Every move I made was calculated, every glance carefully measured. I wandered the hallways, pausing to admire the art on the walls and study the intricate details of the architecture. But my mind was always elsewhere, turning over the same thoughts again and again.