Chapter 21: The First One Before Me
Charles sat in silence, the city lights below flickering like stars drowned in concrete. His glass of whiskey remained untouched. The message on his phone burned like a secret brand:
> "Lust Sync isn’t a game, Charles. It’s a curse. And I know how it ends."
Unknown number. No name. No trace. The system tried pinging the source — nothing. That had never happened before.
> [Trace Failed. User Identity Obscured.] [System Alert: Possibility of Rogue User – Confirmed.]
He’d always felt in control, like the Lust Sync was his to command. But this? This message wasn’t just a warning. It was a confession — from someone like him.
Someone who had used the system.
And lived long enough to regret it.
---
10:47 PM – Olivia’s Penthouse
"Charles," Olivia said, her voice low and possessive, "you’re distracted."
He hadn’t even realized he’d walked in without a word. She stood in black lace, tall heels clicking softly as she approached. The candles flickered around her, shadows hugging her curves like lovers jealous of the light.