Confined Sanctuary

## Chapter 10

The safe house was stark, functional, and eerily quiet. Its anonymity was its greatest asset, a blank canvas against the chaos of Serena’s life. Rain still lashed against the windows, a relentless drumbeat that had become the soundtrack to her fear. But here, within these four walls, the sound felt muffled, distant. Adrian had chosen it for that reason, he’d said, his voice low and steady as he’d led her inside. “Less echo,” he’d explained, his gaze sweeping over the room as if searching for threats even in the silence.

Serena had walked through the door feeling like a ghost, her own apartment having become too familiar, too permeable. Here, the air felt different. Cleaner. Tighter. Adrian had assured her it was secure, that no one knew she was here. The words should have been a comfort, but they settled in her stomach like a cold weight. Security was a fragile thing, easily shattered.