James’ grip tightened. His fingers wrapped around Zia’s neck, trying to cut off her breath right then and there.

There was nothing Zia could do except try to loosen James’s grip while struggling to breathe. Not a single sound escaped Zia’s mouth, leaving her despairing that her life would be spared this time.

“Zia?”

Vaguely, Zia could see a light moving toward her from above.

“Eric...” Zia whimpered.

At that moment, James’s grip loosened, and Zia immediately collapsed weakly on the floor, coughing and feeling the pain in her throat that was torturing her.

“ZIA!” Eric shouted in shock at Zia’s condition.

Eric immediately approached Zia with his flashlight, feeling...