The rehearsal room felt suffocating. The managers argued, papers shuffled, and plans were laid like traps upon a table. Yet none of it seemed real to Christine. Only fear felt real. Raoul stood before her, trying to sound calm, trying to sound certain. “Christine, listen to me. This is the only way.” Christine shook her head. “If you don’t stop, I’ll go mad.” “Christine—” “Raoul, I’m frightened.” She backed away from him. “Don’t make me do this.” Around them, the others exchanged uneasy glances. “Raoul, it scares me.” “He’s only a man,” Raoul insisted. Christine laughed bitterly. “A man? A man who appears and disappears like a ghost? A man who knows every corner of this opera house?” “Christine—” “Don’t put me through this.” Her voice trembled. “Ordeal by fire… he’ll take me, I know.” Raoul stepped closer. “I won’t let that happen.” “We’ll be parted forever.” “No.” “He won’t let me go.” Silence settled heavily across the room. Christine wrapped her arms around herself. “What I once used to dream, I now dread.” Raoul’s expression softened. “Christine…” “If he finds me, it won’t ever end.” Her eyes filled with tears. “And he’ll always be there. Singing songs in my head.” Several people shifted uncomfortably. “And he’ll always be there…” she whispered again, “…singing songs in my head.” Madame Giry lowered her gaze. Raoul clenched his fists. “You said yourself he was nothing but a man.” Christine stared at him. “Yet while he lives, he will haunt us till we’re dead.” Raoul opened his mouth to argue. Before he could speak, Christine continued. “Twisted every way, what answer can I give?” Her voice cracked. “Am I to risk my life, to win the chance to live?” The room had gone completely silent. “Can I betray the man who once inspired my voice?” Raoul looked away. “Do I become his prey? Do I have any choice?” No one answered. “He kills without a thought. He murders all that’s good.” Raoul stepped forward again. “I know.”