Chapter Seven

Joana's POV

I stood in front of Dire, my heart racing. This wasn’t just strange, it was straight-up abduction. But the way he acted, the smile he gave, and the casual gestures, it was as if he didn’t think anything was wrong. Or worse, he knew something I didn’t. His authority was unquestionable, yet he masked it under a layer of disturbing niceness. It was unsettling.

I had to get out.

“I want to leave.” I said, forcing a smile. I tried to keep my voice steady, trying not to let him see how terrified I really was.

Dire raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile as if I had just made an amusing request.

“Of course, wife. You may leave whenever you want.” He said smoothly. “But do make sure you’re back by nine. You wouldn’t want to miss our evening together, now, would you?”

The way he said "wife" sent a shiver down my spine. His tone was too casual, too calm, and it only made the fear inside me grow. I wanted to snap at him, to lash out, but I couldn’t. Not yet. The fea