Lina's POV - Hospital Room, Day 16
I've been awake for two days, and I've spent every moment thinking. Really thinking. About everything that's happened. About Rio. About the game he's been playing with me.
And I've realized something that changes everything.
I have power now. Real power. Power that Rio can't control or buy or manipulate away.
The suicide attempt changed the narrative. Suddenly, I'm not the woman who violated a contract. I'm the woman driven to the edge by her husband's cruelty. The media knows. Lolo knows. My parents know. And Rio knows that if this story gets out completely, his reputation—carefully cultivated over years—will be destroyed.
I'm no longer the prey. I'm the predator now. I just have to convince him I'm still the victim.
I ask the nurse to bring me a mirror, and I study my reflection carefully. My neck is still bruised. My face is pale. I look fragile. Broken. Perfect.
I make a decision. Today, I stop being the victim. Today, I start winning.
