15. Hypnotic

Returning to the kitchen after Fisher's departure, I couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of unrest as Penelope accompanied Fisher out the door. Every step they took together felt like a hammer blow to my already fragile ego. I lingered in the doorway, watching, a cataclysm of emotions swirling inside me.

Busy at the stove, Aiken glanced over his shoulder and caught my troubled look. He had always had a skill for reading situations, and this time was no different. "Fisher's been here twice now," he commented casually, stirring something in a pot. "He and Penelope seem to get along well, don't they?"

His words, though casual, felt like a punch to my gut. My agitation grew with each passing moment Penelope spent outside with Fisher. The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming, and I struggled to keep my emotions in check.

Aiken plated the meal meticulously, laying it out on the bar counter. The aroma was enticing, but my appetite had vanished. He fetched a bottle of wine from the fri