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Alice peered around Ivy, her eyes wide with fear as they settled on the looming figure of Vice. She began to shake, her small body trembling against Ivy's. "Mommy, that's the bad man," she whispered, her voice quivering. "Like the one in the storybook—the one who kidnapped the little boy."

Vice chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down Ivy's spine. "Ah, but unlike that tale, you're mommy and I have an understanding," he said, his voice smooth and dangerous."Don't we?" His eyes bore into hers, a silent threat that sent a wave of coldness washing over her. “Yes, we do,” she replied.

"What do you want?" Ivy whispered, her voice tight with fear for her daughter.

Vice's smile was cold and calculated. "I want what I've always wanted," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "I told you I'm a man of my word, Ivy. I've given you what you want. Now you have no reason to try to leave."

Vice leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "I've brought Alice here to stay," he said, his tone final. "You can see her, hold her, love her—so long as you stay with me."

Ivy's heart felt like it was being torn in two. The love and fear for Alice washed over her in waves. She couldn't let this monster keep her daughter hostage. "What's the catch?" she asked, her voice hoarse with emotion.

Vice's smile grew wider. "No catch," he said, his eyes gleaming. "Just you're word that you'll stay by my side, forever."

Ivy looked down at Alice, her eyes filled with love and determination. She smoothed her daughter's hair, whispering reassurances into her ear. "It's okay, baby," she said, her voice calm despite the turmoil in her chest. "Mommy's here now." She turned back to Vice, her jaw set. "I'll stay," she said, her voice steady. "But only if you promise Alice will be safe."

Vice's eyes narrowed, studying her for any sign of deceit. "You have my word," he said finally. "But remember, Ivy—if you ever try to leave again, I won't be so forgiving."

Ivy nodded, the weight of his promise heavy on her shoulders. She knew she had no choice but to stay, not with Alice's life in his hands.

Vice watched her with a mix of satisfaction and something else—something unreadable. "Good," he said, his voice like velvet. "Now, let's enjoy our dinner."

The meal was a blur of flavors and textures, but Ivy's mind was elsewhere spinning with thoughts of escape, of how she could get her daughter out of this place. But every time she looked at Alice, she knew she couldn’t risk her daughter so she’d have to do anything that Vice demanded.

Vice cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the tension like a knife. "I have a surprise for Miss Alice," he announced, his eyes gleaming with something that looked suspiciously like excitement.

Ivy's gaze snapped to him, her heart racing. What could he possibly have planned? Her mind raced with scenarios, none of them good. "What surprise?" she asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

Vice stood and gestured to the double doors. "Follow me," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Ivy's heart pounded as she picked up Alice, the child's arms tightening around her neck. They followed him out of the hall and down a corridor she hadn't been to before. The walls were lined with portraits of stern-faced men and women, their eyes seeming to bore into her soul as she passed. The air grew colder, the torches casting flickering shadows that danced on the walls.

They stopped before a set of massive doors, twice the height of a regular man. Vice stepped aside, gesturing for Ivy and Alice to enter. "Welcome to you're new home," he said, his voice a low murmur.

Alice clung tightly to Ivy's neck as they stepped into a hallway lined with doors. Each door they passed revealed a new wonder; a room tailored to the whims of a child's imagination. The first door opened to a playroom filled with dolls and stuffed animals, sparkling with fairy lights. "Wow," Alice whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's like a dream."

The next door revealed a treasure trove of dress-up clothes, a rainbow array of tutus and tiaras, capes, and crowns. Alice's grip on Ivy loosened, excitement bubbling up in her voice as she exclaimed, "It's like a real-life dress-up box!" Ivy couldn't help but smile at her daughter's delight, despite the heaviness in her heart.

They moved on, Alice's eyes widening with each new doorway. An arcade with blinking lights and the nostalgic beeps of retro games greeted them. "This is so cool!" Alice whispered in awe.

The next door revealed a beauty salon, with a child-sized chair and a vanity laden with sparkling make-up and glittery hair accessories. Yet she couldn't help but feel a spark of joy as Alice's face lit up at the sight. Had Vice done all of this for Alice. This must have been what we're in all those boxes.

They moved on, passing a bowling alley with mini lanes and colorful balls, a miniature golf course that looked like it had been plucked from the pages of a storybook, and a movie theater with a collection of classic films.

Alice's eyes grew wider with each discovery, her excitement growing palpable. She put Alice down as they came to the next door.

Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement as she pushed it open. It revealed a magnificent library; the walls lined with books that stretched up to the ceiling. A cozy reading nook was nestled into one corner, complete with plush cushions and a warm, inviting lamp. "Wow, it's like a treasure trove of stories," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

"These rooms are the most important." He said gesturing to the two doors. "Open this one first before the other. Vice instructed.

Alice looked back at him, then at Ivy, who nodded encouragingly. She took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. As the door swung open, a burst of light spilled into the hallway, revealing a room that seemed to have been plucked from a fairytale. The walls were painted a soft pink, adorned with glittering stars and images of her favorite princesses. A canopy bed, fit for royalty, dominated the space, the bedposts carved into the shapes of swans. The bed was laden with plush pillows and a comforter.

But it was the box at the center of the bed that drew her eyes. It was wrapped in shimmering silver paper with a bow the color of a midnight sky. Her heart racing, she approached the bed, her tiny feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet. She climbed up the stairs to the bed, the anticipation building with each step. With trembling hands, she pulled at the ribbon, watching as the bow fell away to reveal a plain, unassuming wooden box.

Her eyes met Ivy's, which were filled with a mix of hope and dread. What could possibly be inside that box? Was it a trick, a cruel joke played by this man who held them captive?

Alice took a deep breath and lifted the lid of the box. Nestled within was a tiny gray pit bull puppy, its eyes blinking sleepily as it looked up at her. She screamed with delight, her fear forgotten as she reached into the box and cradled the squirming ball of fur to her chest. "A puppy!" she squealed, her voice echoing off the walls of the castle. "Mommy, look! It's the best surprise ever!"

The puppy's tiny pink tongue darted out to lick Alice's cheek, making her giggle uncontrollably. "Thank you," she said excitedly to Vice, her voice filled with awe.