Unable to resist the adorable feline, she took a couple of hesitant steps forward and whispered, "Meow, little one, come here."

The black cat lowered itself, its front legs supporting its body. Its enchanting blue eyes, reminiscent of gemstones, remained fixed on Ariana.

The cat permitted her to gently stroke its head, its ears quivering with pleasure.

Purring contentedly, the feline charmed Ariana's heart.

It was so adorable that she didn't want to leave it alone. She had always longed to raise a cat but never had the chance to do so. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Determined to adopt the cat, she decided to introduce it to Theodore first.

However, as she reached to pick it up, the black cat cunningly wriggled free and dashed toward the nearby flowers.

“Don't run away, little one.”

The greenhouse teemed with flora, and the black cat weaved its way into a thorny rose bush.

Fearful that the cat might get injured, Ariana pursued it, her concern growing. But the agile feline disappeared among the roses, leaving Ariana alone in the moonlit greenhouse.

Ariana's fleeting dream of raising a cat was ignited and then promptly snuffed out.

With a heavy heart, she turned around to retrieve the broken lamp, intending to return inside and reheat her meal.

As she moved, something caught her eye. Hesitating for a moment, Ariana approached the parterre and carefully parted the sparse branches. A golden shackle, secured in place, came into view.

Her hands shaking, she picked up the shackle and slowly extended it toward the door of the greenhouse.

The chain was rigid and lengthy, only becoming taut when it reached the door, unable to stretch any further.

Anyone shackled here would be unable to reach the doorknob, no matter how hard they struggled. They would be utterly restrained.

A suffocating sensation gripped Ariana as she gazed at the imposing golden cage.

Then, fear surged through her heart.

Bang! An eerie noise echoed in the quiet greenhouse, followed by a screen crashing to the ground.

Ariana jumped, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at the fallen screen and scanned her surroundings, her terror escalating.