The night air was sharp against damp skin.
Somewhere in the distance, a car engine hummed before fading away, swallowed by the quiet of the lake. The city lights flickered in the water's reflection, stretching out like broken glass.
Victoria stood there, silent. Shocked.
Franz's words hung in the air—cold, absolute.
"Then you should die."
She hadn't expected that. Not from him. Not so bluntly.
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Her mind raced. Was he serious? Was this some kind of twisted joke? Or did he truly believe it?
Franz watched her reaction with mild amusement before continuing.
"Well, I can help you make it seem like you're dead."
Victoria's breath caught. Her eyes widened slightly.
"It'll buy us time to solve your problem. But for that, you need to tell me exactly what we're dealing with."
A gust of wind swept through the area, carrying a biting chill that sank into their wet clothes.
Victoria shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself. Only now did she realize how cold she was—her soaked dress clinging to her skin, her body trembling slightly.
Franz noticed. His gaze flickered downward, taking in her soaked state before exhaling.
"I think we should move. You need to dry off." He stretched lazily before turning toward the path leading away from the lake. "Let's go to my place."
She hesitated.
"Your… place?"
"Yeah," he said simply. Then, as if remembering something, he glanced at her again. "How long has it been since you left the house?"
Victoria blinked. How long had it been?
Her mind felt sluggish, like trying to wade through murky water. The past few hours had blurred together into one endless moment.
Franz snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Hey. You okay?"
She jolted slightly, blinking. "Yes… I think an hour. Maybe two."
Franz nodded, then reached for his phone—only to pause. His eyes flickered to the lake.
"Ah… right."
With a sigh, he started searching through the grass. After a few moments, his fingers brushed against metal. He picked up his phone, slightly wet but still functional.
"There you are." He wiped it against his joggers before dialing a number.
Victoria watched him carefully, her thoughts a storm she couldn't quiet.
Why was he helping her?
Who was he, really?
Should she trust him?
Was he—
Her thoughts stopped.
A name surfaced at the edge of her mind, one she had tried to bury.
Her husband's brother.
The man who had driven her to the edge.
The man who still had control over her life.
The man who would come after her again.
Her hands curled into fists.
Franz, still on the phone, spoke lazily. "Old man. Need you to do something."
Victoria barely heard the rest. Her thoughts drowned her.
Was she really about to fake her own death?
Was this the right choice?
And more importantly…
Could she trust the man standing before her?
The call ended with a soft click. Franz slipped his phone into his pocket, then turned to her.
"Our ride will be here soon." His voice was calm, businesslike. "I'll explain everything once we're at my place. If we're going to fake your death, we have to do it right."
His gaze met hers, unwavering.
"Whoever is after you needs to believe you're gone. That means no mistakes. No second chances. So let's go."
Victoria didn't move.
Her expression turned cold.
"What is your true motive?" Her voice was sharp, almost accusing. "Don't tell me you're just doing this because you're Celeste's friend."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Did he send you? Answer me, Franz."
Franz raised an eyebrow, then let out a short, amused breath.
"Oh, I get it. You can't trust me."
He took a slow step closer, his voice low, almost amused.
"But believe me—" his lips curled slightly, "—I would never harm the mother of the woman I love."
Silence.
Victoria's expression froze.
For the first time since their conversation started, she looked completely dumbfounded.
"…Huh?"
Franz clapped his hands together.
"Now, shall we go, future mother-in-law?"
Her brain shut down completely.
For the past hour, she had been drowning in fear, doubt, and exhaustion.
But now—now she was faced with something completely different.
What?
Franz's words repeated in her head like an echo, but they still didn't make sense.
Her mouth opened before her brain could catch up.
"…Huh?"