Chapter 039

Chapter 039
Killian didn’t look back.
The door shut behind him and that was enough.
The hallway felt colder than before.
Cleaner.
Like nothing had happened inside.
He walked straight through it.
No pause. No hesitation.
Outside—
the air hit differently.
He exhaled once, sharp, dragging a hand through his hair as he headed toward the car.
By the time he got in, his expression was already reset.
Controlled.
The engine started.
He drove.
Fast enough to not think.
But it didn’t work.
For a few seconds, the road blurred just enough to quiet everything.
Then—
it came back.
The way Theodore had said:
“Don’t look at me.”
Killian clicked his tongue under his breath.
“Finished,” he muttered.
Like that explained it.
The phone buzzed.
He glanced down.
Blackthorn Program Coordination
Killian scoffed.
“Of course.”
He opened it one-handed, eyes flicking between the road and the screen.
Module 01 — Conduct & Address: Verified
He exhaled.
Then his eyes dropped lower.
Module 02 — Posture & Physical Guidance
Killian frowned slightly.
“…Physical guidance?”
He slowed just enough to actually read it.
MODULE 02: STRUCTURAL POSITIONING & CORRECTION
This module introduces direct physical guidance to ensure correct posture and alignment.
Objective:
To establish Dominant-led correction through controlled contact.
Core Focus:
Adjustment of shoulders, spine, and stance
Guided positioning of hands and limbs
Physical correction without hesitation
Maintaining control without escalation
Instructional Note:
Contact must be deliberate, neutral, and functional.
Emotional response is irrelevant.
Preparation Window:
48 hours.
Killian stared at the screen for a second.
Then laughed once.
Dry.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “Of course it is.”
He locked the phone.
Then unlocked it again immediately.
Scrolled.
Read it again.
Physical correction.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“Neutral,” he repeated under his breath.
Like that was the problem.
The phone shifted in his hand.
Without thinking, he hit forward.
The email sent.
To Theodore.
No message attached.
No explanation.
Just—
forwarded.
Killian stared at the screen for a second longer than necessary.
Then locked it.
The car moved.
The city passed.
His phone rang.
Sophia.
Killian exhaled through his nose.
Of course.
He let it ring once.
Twice.
Then answered.
“Yeah.”
“Wow,” Sophia’s voice came through, bright and teasing. “No hello? I feel loved.”
Killian leaned back slightly in the seat, one hand steady on the wheel. “You’re calling me,” he said. “You should feel honored I picked up.”
She laughed. “You’re insufferable.”
“Mm.”
A pause.
Then—
“Saturday,” she said. “Don’t tell me you forgot already.”
Killian’s grip tightened slightly on the wheel.
“I didn’t forget,” he said.
“You say that like you’re already planning to cancel,” she shot back.
“I said I’d go.”
Another pause.
Short.
Measured.
“Killian.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“Yeah.”
“You always say yes,” she said. “Then something comes up. Or you disappear. Or you show up late and leave early.”
Killian huffed quietly. “That’s my charm.”
“I’m serious,” she said, softer now. “Don’t make me go alone.”
That—
almost made him hang up.
Instead, he shifted in his seat, jaw tightening.
The Annex.
The module.
The next forty-eight hours.
He could already feel it pressing in.
“I’ll be there,” he said.
Not casual this time.
Not careless.
Sophia caught it immediately.
“…You mean that?”
Killian stared at the road ahead.
“Yeah,” he said.
A beat.
“Okay,” she replied, softer now. “Good.”
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
settled.
Then she added lightly, “Five o’clock. Don’t make me wait in heels.”
Killian smirked faintly. “You’d survive.”
“I shouldn’t have to.”
He shook his head slightly. “I’ll pick you up.”
“That’s better.”
She hung up shortly after.
Killian lowered the phone slowly.
The car kept moving.
He didn’t turn the music on.
Didn’t check anything else.
Just drove.
Because now he had—
the Annex.
the module.
the audit.
And a party he had no business going to.
Killian let out a quiet breath.
“Great,” he muttered.
And kept driving-
like everything could stay separate.
Even though it already wasn’t.

Meanwhile—

The Annex door had already closed behind Killian.
Theodore didn’t leave.
He was Evelyn again.
Blouse on.
Skirt in place.
Everything aligned—
except him.
His phone vibrated.
He grabbed it immediately this time.
Forwarded email.
From Killian.
No message.
Of course.
Theodore opened it.

Module 02 — Posture & Physical Guidance

His eyes scanned.
Fast.
Sharp.
Physical correction.
Guided positioning.
Direct contact.
His jaw locked.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He looked up.
At the cameras.
“Now you want him to touch me on purpose?”
Silence.
Theodore let out a short, humorless laugh.
“First you force it,” he muttered, “now you structure it.”
His grip tightened on the phone.
This wasn’t about posture.
He knew it.
It was escalation.
Slow.
Controlled.
Deliberate.
His chest rose, then steadied.
He read the line again.

Physical correction must be immediate and precise.

“Of course it must,” he said quietly.
Because hesitation—
hadn’t stopped anything last time.
Theodore locked the phone.
For a second—
he just stood there.
Then he moved.
Quick.
Efficient.
He grabbed his things.
Didn’t look at the bed.
Didn’t look at the cameras again.
And walked out—
still Evelyn.
Still composed.
Then, his phone rang.
Clara.
He answered without stopping.
“Yes.”
“Well,” Clara’s voice came through, light, curious. “How was your mysterious old man?”
Theodore crossed the corridor, steps even.
“Uneventful.”
Clara laughed softly.
“I don’t believe you.”
“That’s your problem.”
“It is,” she agreed easily. “So? Dinner again? Or just talking this time?”
Theodore adjusted his sleeve.
“Mostly conversation.”
“God,” Clara sighed. “I don’t know how you do it. I’d fall asleep.”
“He talks,” Theodore said. “I listen.”
Simple.
Clean.
Believable.
Clara continued, teasing now:
“Let me guess. Expensive restaurant, long speeches, and you nodding like you care.”
Theodore’s mouth curved slightly.
“Something like that.”
He stepped outside
The air felt different.
Lighter.
Clara clicked her tongue.
“At least he’s not difficult.”
A pause.
Theodore didn’t slow.
“He has expectations.”
“That’s normal,” Clara replied. “As long as he’s respectful.”
Theodore’s grip on the phone tightened just slightly.
“He is.”
Another lie.
Delivered perfectly.
Clara relaxed instantly.
“Good,” she said. “I was worried you’d end up stuck with one of those controlling types.”
Theodore let out a quiet breath.
“I can handle myself.”
“I know you can,” she said. “Still. Be careful.”
Always.
Theodore crossed the street, gaze steady.
“I will.”
A pause.
Then Clara added, softer.
“You sound tired.”
“I’m not.”
“You always say that.”
“And I’m always right.”
Clara laughed.
“Sure you are.”
Another pause.
“Call me if he gets weird, okay?”
Theodore didn’t hesitate.
“He won’t.”
The easiest lie so far.
They hung up.
Silence.
Theodore lowered the phone slowly.
For a moment—
he just stood there.
Then—
quietly—
“…conversation.”
The word lingered.
Because technically—
that was still what it was.
Just—
not the kind Clara imagined.