Serena might never have imagined that Niel often slipped into her room whenever no one was home.
Before entering Serena's room, Niel had made sure she was in the shower. Her clothes and the bag she planned to use were neatly arranged on the bed.
Niel already knew Serena's habits. He reached for her bag and slipped a voice recorder inside—something he would later be able to listen to while she was out with Varron.
"Even when you go out with someone else, you'll still be under my watch, Serena," he said after successfully placing the tiny device inside the bag.
Niel had overheard Serena talking with Varron before she decided to take a shower. They were going to meet outside for lunch. He had heard them through the wall.
That was why he had hurried into Serena's room while his stepsister was showering.
"You'll definitely dress up beautifully for that man, Serena. What a shame. My heart feels completely shattered." Niel stared at the pale blue, knee-length minidress lying on the bed.
Although Niel had entered the room several times, he always did so with such care that Serena had never suspected anyone had been inside.
When he heard the bathroom door open, Niel immediately left. His steps were relaxed and sure. Even if Serena caught him in the act, Niel would actually feel incredibly lucky.
At least then, she would know that Serena was the woman he was determined to make his.
That was the only reason Niel was willing to pretend to be Mora's son—to force the middle-aged woman to bring him into Serena's family home as her stepbrother.
"Would you rather die by my hand, or take me there to meet Serena?"
Niel had issued that threat when Mora once refused his request. If Mora hadn't owed Niel a debt, she never would have gotten involved with him.
"You aren't going to kill her, are you? Serena is my best friend's daughter. Even though we rarely see each other, I've come to think of her as my own daughter."
Niel tightened his grip around the woman's neck. "What do you think? Would a man who was madly in love with a woman kill her when he was already struggling just to make her his?"
"As long as you don't kill her, I can take you with me, Nathaniel."
"Good. That's the answer I've been waiting for, you damned woman!"
Niel wore a triumphant smile. The sound of Serena and Varron's argument played crystal clear in his ears through the recording he had stored in Serena's bag.
"This is only the beginning, Serena. You need to understand that I don't like you meeting other men out there at all."
Niel remained there on Serena's bed, lying back casually without the slightest fear that she might suddenly return and catch him.
Serena's scent clung heavily to the bed. Niel could smell it on her pillow and blanket. Nothing Niel did was ever pointless—like breaking into Serena's room again and again whenever she went out and the house was empty.
"You really don't know me at all, do you, Serena? I've searched for you for years just so I could make you mine, and now the time has come."
Niel closed his eyes, as though Serena and Varron's argument playing in his ears was entertainment he enjoyed even more than his own playlist.
"I'll make that man let you go soon, Serena. I'll find a way as quickly as I can."