48

The room was filled with silence, only the faint ticking of the clock on the wall could be heard.

Giselle lay on the bed, her body still bound by handcuffs, eyes covered with a black cloth, and a cold chain circling her neck. Her breath rose and fell unevenly. She wanted to struggle, to free herself, but her body was weak after being forced to endure tension for so long.

Leon stood at the side of the bed. His upper body was bare, a thin layer of sweat clinging to his firm skin. His eyes glinted sharply, his face hard as he restrained emotions he should never have allowed...