— — — — — —
Darkness.
That was all she felt at first, thick, suffocating darkness pressing against her skin, wrapping around her chest like iron bands until she couldn't breathe.
Then came the voices.
Whispers, cold and echoing, filled her ears with mocking laughter that sliced through her like blades.
"She's nothing."
"Just a pawn… just a toy…"
"She thought she could be loved… so pathetic."
"No one will come for you."
"No one ever will."
"Shen Xiao has never loved you, you are just a trophy wife to cover up the space!"
"Even your son doesn't want you!"
Her body felt heavy, pinned down against icy stone as hands reached out from the darkness, clawing at her arms, her legs, her throat. Shadows loomed above her, shifting and curling like snakes ready to strike.
She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her mouth opened in a silent, desperate gasp as panic burned through her veins like acid.
