Chapter 183. Between Hate and Fury

The next day, Lara awakens to the discomfort of sores covering her body, a painful reminder of the previous day’s ordeal. Desperate for respite, she shifts and turns on the hard, unforgiving mattress, yearning for the solace of sleep. The events of the night before linger in her mind, echoing her fears and failures, and refusing to fade. All she craves now is the blissful oblivion of sleep which just refuses to come.

"When did my bed get so stiff?" Lara mumbles to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. Her frustration is evident in the way she rolls over continuously.

"I'm pretty sure it's always been like that," a voice responds, startling Lara with its familiarity.

"Carter?" Lara's heart leaps with shock as she sits up abruptly, scanning the room for her friend.

To her dismay, she finds Lady Grace standing nearby, her stern expression quashing any hope of seeing Carter. Lara's disappointment is