them do their work. A strange sense of resignation washed over her. It was the same fee

inst her skin was a brutal contrast to the memory that surfaced in her mind. Dominic, years a

had promised to protect her was now the one tying her

mask. "One last chance, Hazel. Agree to do this

ive love, his paranoia, his cruelty. A lifetime of being a

hispered, the words clear a

e last flicker of hum

ned to the doctor who had

yond physical pain. The needle was thick and long. She felt it pierce the skin of her lowe

sing all her energy on the single, burning thought that repeated in her

of its own. Her muscles spasmed, her vision whitening at

im and unwavering. He was witnessing her agony, the very agony he was inflicting, and he didn' t even flinch. H

n sweat, her body trembling with aftershocks

eached out with a cloth to wipe the sweat from her forehead. His tou

uttural sound of revuls

touch me,"

hand hoverin

and looked at him, her eyes filled wit

," she w

blow. He stood there for a long moment, his face a canvas of conflicti

e woman waiting outside, his voice strained.

ut, leaving Hazel alone in the echoing si