Then he stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides, a twisted mix of frustration and grim satisfaction crossing his face.
“If you don’t want to come home,” he snapped into the empty hallway, “then stay outside the whole damn night!”
His fist rose and struck the door with a dull thud.
Then he turned sharply and marched down the stairs, storming out of the house again.
Two hours later, the front door of the mansion opened quietly.
Sophia stepped inside the house.
Her footsteps echoed softly through the empty house. The lights were still on, casting warm shadows along the walls, but outside the windows it was pitch black.
She climbed the stairs slowly, exhaustion weighing down her movements.
When she reached the bedroom door, she reached for the handle casually—
Her hand slipped.
She frowned.
She tried again.
Her fingers slid uselessly over the metal.
She pulled her hand back and looked down.
Under the hallway light, her fingers glistened.
The doorknob was coated in oil.
Her brows furrowed. She leaned closer, squinting at the knob.
It was completely coated.
“What the hell…” she muttered in disbelief.
She jerked her hand back in disgust, staring at her slick palm. The faint scent of coconut oil hit her nose.
“God damn it!” She hissed, shaking her hand in frustration.
Taking a slow breath to steady herself, she turned and walked toward the second bathroom at the end of the hall. She turned on the tap and shoved her hands under the water, scrubbing them with soap. The smell of coconut lingered faintly. She washed harder than necessary, jaw tight.
After drying her hands, she grabbed tissues and a bottle of sanitizer. Then she walked back to the bedroom door.
Returning to the bedroom door, she knelt slightly and began wiping the knob. Her movements were controlled, but her jaw was tight, her brows drawn together in anger. She sprayed sanitizer and wiped again until the metal felt dry and clean under her fingers.
Only then did she grip the handle.
This time, it turned smoothly. The door opened. She stepped inside quietly.
The room was empty.
Her eyes scanned the space, but Magnus was nowhere to be seen.
She tossed the tissues and sanitizer onto the side table near the door with a soft thud. Taking a deep, frustrated breath, she walked to the bed and sat down heavily on the edge, her shoulders sagging.
“What the hell?” she whispered into the empty room.
