Chapter 193

Ayleen sat against the cold, damp wall, her body curled into itself, arms wrapped protectively around her stomach. Her eyes, swollen from exhaustion and silent tears, remained shut as she tried to block out the suffocating darkness of the room. But there was no escaping reality. Every time she closed her eyes, fear would crawl up her spine, wrapping itself around her throat like a noose.

The door rattled, and her heart jumped in her chest.

She didn’t lift her gaze as heavy footsteps echoed through the empty space. The same routine. The same sound. The same man. She could already feel his leering gaze on her, the way he always stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary, as if drinking in her misery.

The tray landed with a dull thud on the floor. Without a word, the man turned on his heel and walked out, the rusty door groaning as it slammed shut. The sound of the bolt sliding into place sent a shiver through her body.

For a long moment, she didn’t mov