The night fell like a velvet curtain over the villa, wrapping every corner in shadows and uncertainty. Lights flickered on across the pool deck and the garden paths, casting long reflections on the water's surface. The cameras, more discreet than usual, moved slowly, silently—but they were everywhere.
The announcement of the vote had transformed the mood. What had once been a fantasy had become a crucible. Conversations were hushed, stares sharpened. No one trusted anyone, not fully. And as the dinner hour approached, the weight of the coming revelation pressed down on everyone.
Darius stood at the edge of the infinity pool, hands in his pockets, staring into the mirror-like surface. Behind him, laughter echoed faintly from the kitchen—forced, brittle, hollow. He'd played many roles since arriving here: charmer, lover, confidant. Tonight, he would be something else.
Judge.
