517 The room felt smaller after the men left, the silence thick and oppressive. Dencia’s mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest as she paced back and forth, trying to think of a way out. The window, that damn crack in the window—it was their only chance, but now it felt like a fleeting dream,

519 “Please,” Mia’s voice cracked, barely above a whisper. “Please let her go. We’ll do anything. I’ll do anything.” Harrison turned to Mia, his gaze filled with mockery. “Anything?” He chuckled darkly. “You should have thought of that before you tried to run.” Mia’s face paled, her eyes brimmin

521 Harrison’s grip on Dencia’s arm tightened further, his fingers digging into her skin like claws. He dragged her closer, his predatory smile widening as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You’ll learn, Dencia,” he said, his voice soft but menacing. “You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. And

523 The words hit Margaret like a physical blow. She staggered to her feet, her voice trembling with rage and anguish. “How dare you say that to me?” she hissed, her words cutting through the sterile silence of the room like a knife. “How dare you stand there and give up on my son?” “Lady Margare

525 “Lady Margaret?” he whispered urgently. “Can you hear me?” Her eyelids fluttered briefly before falling shut again. “It’s a good sign,” Dr. Whitaker said, placing a hand on James’s shoulder. “She’s responding, even if it’s minimal. That means she’s fighting.” James exhaled shakily, a smal