The day of the party arrived, and Emily decided to attend despite her reservations. She wore a sleek, black dress that accentuated her figure, hoping it would help her blend in and keep her cover intact. As she prepared to leave, Jake gave her a concerned look.

“Be careful tonight, Emily. I don’t trust Cole Matthews, and you know how these parties can get. Just watch yourself.”

Emily nodded, appreciating her brother’s concern. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a party, Jake.”

When Emily arrived at the party, she quickly spotted Cole Matthews among the crowd. His presence was unmistakable; he exuded a brooding charisma that made him stand out. Cole approached her with a confident stride, his gaze lingering on her attire.

“Look who decided to show up,” he said, flashing a charming but unsettling smile. “You’re looking stunning tonight. It seems like we’re matching.”

Emily forced a smile, trying to keep the conversation light. “Thanks, Cole. I didn’t know you were hosting.”

Cole’s gaze lingered on her a moment longer than necessary before he gestured toward the center of the room. “Let’s dance. You look like you could use a partner.”

They moved to the dance floor, where the music pulsed through the room. Cole was an excellent dancer, his movements smooth and assured. As they swayed to the rhythm, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear.

“You know, there’s a game we’re playing later,” Cole said, his voice a low murmur. “It’s called ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven.’ Ever heard of it?”

Emily’s heart sank. She had heard of the game but hoped it wouldn’t come up tonight. “Yeah, I know it. It’s just a game, right?”

Cole’s smile widened, his tone turning more suggestive. “Exactly. It’s a chance to get to know someone better. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

As the night progressed, the partygoers gathered for the game. Emily watched as names were drawn from a hat, and participants were sent into a darkened room for their seven minutes. She hoped to avoid being selected but felt her anxiety rise when Cole reached into the hat.

The game began, and soon Emily found herself in the darkened room with Cole. The door clicked shut behind them, and the darkness was almost suffocating. Cole’s hands were on her almost immediately, his touch both assertive and invasive.

“You look amazing tonight,” he said, his hands roaming over her body. “This dress would look even better on the floor.”

Emily’s heart raced. The room was pitch black, making her feel disoriented and trapped. As Cole’s hands explored her body, he leaned in close and whispered, “Is this okay? I need to know if you’re fine with this.”

Emily’s voice trembled as she tried to assert herself. “I… I don’t know if this is right, Cole. This is supposed to be a game.”

Cole’s response was a mix of charm and coercion. “It’s just us here, Emma. You don’t have to worry about anyone else. I promise it’ll be okay.”

He removed her dress and then her underwear, his actions deliberate and invasive. Emily felt a wave of helplessness as he placed her on the bed. The room’s darkness made it difficult to see, and Cole’s hands were all over her.

As he removed his own clothes and climbed onto the bed, Cole whispered in her ear, “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. Just let me feel you.”

Emily was overwhelmed, her mind racing as she felt his body press against hers. The minutes stretched on, and she realized that the game’s supposed duration had long since passed. The room felt like an endless, oppressive space, and she struggled with the mix of fear and confusion.

Despite her reservations, she found herself kissing him back, her body reacting to his touch. Why does he have to be so good at this? she thought, both disturbed and unwillingly aroused. She hated that she was responding to him, but she felt trapped, wanting to end the ordeal as quickly as possible.

Eventually, the door opened, and the game was over. Emily quickly dressed and left the room, her emotions a whirlwind of shame and confusion. When she arrived home, Jake was waiting for her, his face etched with concern.

“Emily, how was the party?” he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Emily sat down heavily, tears in her eyes. “It was… terrible. Cole Matthews rigged the game. He trapped me in that room longer than seven minutes, and he—he slept with me. I felt like I had no choice but to go along with it. It was awful, Jake.”

Jake’s face turned pale with anger. “He did what? I can’t believe he crossed that line. I’m going to make sure he knows he’s not going to get away with this. You shouldn’t have had to go through that.”

Emily nodded, feeling a mix of relief and shame. “I hated it, Jake. I didn’t want to, but I felt trapped. He was so good at it, I found myself kissing him back, and I just wanted it to end.”

Jake’s protective instincts flared. “Emily, we’ll handle this. I promise you, he’s going to pay for what he did. But for now, focus on yourself. We’ll get through this together.”

Emily appreciated Jake’s support but knew that the road ahead would be difficult. The night’s events had only intensified her resolve to uncover the truth about Ashley’s disappearance, no matter the personal cost.