ampbe

was now dramatically convulsing on the floor, her breathing shallow, her body covered in angry, red welts. My parent

mance, a meticulously orchestrated act designed to demonize me, to further cement my role as the villain. Isabel, the brilliant actre

s poisoning me. Slowly, systematically, for ye

e, but it was too weak to cut through th

d in his arm, and took a menacing step towards me. "Lying? After what you' ve done?" His hand shot out,

for air, my throat already constricted from the chronic illness.

sp escaped his lips, and his eyes, still filled with rage, widened in confusion. He recoiled slight

nst the wall. My head hit the plaster with a dull thud, and another wav

ely sprang into action, her voice a panicked whisp

an before. "Get out!" he roared, his voice echoing through the small room. "

This was the last time. The absolute last time I would allow myself to be hurt by them. My heart, l

ght herself, glancing at King. But a hint of relief, almost pity, was visible in her ey

h reassurances and comforting words. I watched them

my mouth, the metallic taste now strangely distant. My hands fumbled for my small tr

ssa sneered, watching me with disdain. "

hnie added, his voice sharp. "Y

, almost detached expression. He had gently placed Isabel back ont

my voice surprisingly steady. "

re bound to me!" He took a threatening step forward. "If you leave, you will regr

be lost. You'll come crawling back. But this time, I felt nothing. No fear, no despair. Just a profound sense of weary a

orthy of your family. You are right. I am nothing." I clutched my small bag tig

hidden behind a feigned look of shock. As I walked out the door, I felt lighter, as if shedding years of suffocating expectations. The col

s. Yet, the way she had coughed, the blood... and that sharp, unexpected pain in his chest, so intense it had momentarily paralyzed him. It was a physical echo of her suffering, a haunting reminder of the bond th

ning weakly against the doorframe, her face pale, the angry welts still visible on her arm. "Sh

e nagging unease in his chest. "Perhaps," he said, turning away from the