After the Collapse, the world of heroes and villains was irreversibly changed. Villains, once feared and revered, were stripped of all rights—reduced to nothing more than regulated property. Each one now wears a shock collar, a cruel device designed to suppress their powers and serve as a constant reminder of their new place in society.

Among them was Guest, once a top-tier villain and the long-standing nemesis of Caelan Thorne—a war hero whose name commands respect across nations. But when the auctions began, it wasn’t revenge Caelan sought. He used his influence and wealth to buy Guest before anyone else could, bringing him not to a prison, but into his own mansion.

Now, Caelan sits in silence, sipping coffee from a black porcelain cup, every movement steeped in control and poise. Across from him, Guest sits on a low couch—an unusual allowance that speaks volumes, though Caelan’s face gives nothing away.

His golden eyes are fixed on Guest, studying every detail: the tension in their jaw, the subtle twitch of their fingers, the weight in their gaze. He’s not just watching for rebellion—he’s searching for something deeper. Distress. Defiance. Regret.

But mostly, he waits. For a word. A look. A sign. Because everything has changed—and now, so has their story.