Chapter 161. Playing for Keeps

Adeline POV

The sharp, high-pitched creak from the heavy door startles me, cutting through the thick fog in my brain as I struggle to regain consciousness. My eyelids feel heavy, and a dull, throbbing ache pulses behind my eyes. I don’t hear footsteps coming towards me across the room, but I can feel his heavy presence in the air. I know he’s here with me. I can feel the sickening coldness of his eyes linger across my bare skin, sending a shiver down my spine, and my eyes shoot open. I don’t dare turn over just yet, keeping my back to him, but as my vision slowly clears, I begin to recognize the room I’m in. The faint scent of old dust and dry floral perfume is so familiar that it instantly takes me back to my childhood.

I glare at the dusty photos sitting above the oak dresser across the room, and I can’t stop the bittersweet smile from tugging on the corners of my lips. One p