The moment Alexander left, the silence closed in on Evelyn like a second skin.
She locked the door behind him, her fingers lingering on the iron bolt longer than necessary. The fire's warmth couldn't reach her spine, which felt chilled despite everything.
The letter. The ribbon. The break-in.
She hadn't truly admitted it before, but now it settled in her chest like lead.
Someone wanted her gone.
She moved around the room slowly, taking in the small signs of preparation—books stacked on the desk, a fresh set of linens, even a vase with a single dark lily. Too thoughtful. Too intimate. It had Alexander's control all over it.
And that scared her more than the danger outside the door.
Was he truly just helping her… or had she become part of something deeper?
Evelyn sat on the bed, drawing her knees close. Her thoughts spun. Why her? Isabella had always been cruel, but this—this was layered. Coordinated. Not the work of someone throwing a jealous tantrum.
There was more to it.
A knock pulled her out of the spiral.
"Alexander?" she asked cautiously, moving to the door.
But when she cracked it open, it wasn't him.
It was Celeste.
Dressed in velvet and moonlight, Alexander's younger sister leaned casually against the frame, one brow raised. "Well," she said, eyes glinting with mischief, "you must be something special if my brother moved you into the wing with the adults."
Evelyn stiffened. "He's protecting me."
"Oh, is that what we're calling it these days?" Celeste smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Careful, Evelyn. My brother doesn't let people close without a reason."
Evelyn's jaw clenched. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking out for him." Her gaze narrowed. "Because he won't."
Celeste leaned closer, voice dropping. "Don't trust too easily, Evelyn. Even when the danger outside seems louder than the danger beside you."
And just like that, she turned and walked away, heels clicking like a countdown.
Evelyn stood frozen.
The door closed slowly.
But Celeste's words echoed loud.
Not all threats wore the face of an enemy. Some wore a familiar shadow.