Marco descended the staircase, each step heavy with the weight of loss. His body felt hollow, his spirit drained, yet he forced himself onward. Tonight was the last meal.
The dining hall glowed with candlelight, faces turned toward him, smiling in eerie unison. Everyone was present — everyone except Jeremy. Marco's heart sank at the absence, but he sat down, his hands trembling against the polished wood.
The meal began. Whispers of anticipation filled the air, as though they awaited some grand revelation. Marco lifted the lid of his dish. Lobster. Perfectly prepared, its sheen delicate, not greasy like the meals before.
He refused to take a bite. Instead, he drowned himself in the drinks, gulping until his cheeks flushed. The taste was not bitter anymore. It was good. Too good. He felt the warmth spread through him, numbing the edges of his despair.
The dinner ended without incident. No threats, no revelations. One by one, the family retired to their chambers, leaving Marco alone with his unease.
Midnight arrived. Marco's resolve hardened. He slipped from his room, moving quietly through the corridors. Guards lined the halls, their eyes sharp, their movements precise. He kept to the shadows, heart pounding, until he reached the last room of the corridor.
But footsteps echoed. Someone was coming.
Marco panicked, grabbing a glass of water, pretending thirst. The mother‑in‑law appeared, her gaze lingering on him with an unsettling allure. She drank slowly, her eyes never leaving his face. Then, with a faint smile, she guided him back to his room.
When she left, Marco collapsed against the door, tears spilling. He could not endure this place any longer. He moved to the window, staring into the night, wondering if Jeremy's letter had hidden more secrets. He searched the drawers, frantic, pulling them open one by one.
But the letter was gone.
The room shifted, shadows lengthening. From behind the door, a figure emerged. Ralph's sister. She stepped forward, the letter clutched in her hand. Marco froze, his breath caught in his throat, terror flooding him.
She did not speak. She simply turned and walked away, the letter slipping from his grasp forever.
Marco's vision blurred. The room tilted, hazy. His body gave way, collapsing onto the bed. Darkness swallowed him whole.
Tomorrow awaited — but he did not know what it would bring.
TO BE CONTINUED…
PART-1 FINALE ON 20st FEBRUARY 2026