Mariana’s Pov

“Why are you doing this to me?” My voice cracks, the weight of exhaustion and despair laced through every word. The room feels suffocating, the air heavy with an unspoken menace.

 My hands tremble as they rest on the table between us, my gaze locked onto his with a desperation I can’t suppress.

Radimr cocks his head, his expression maddeningly calm. “What?” he asks, as if the question is absurd.

“Why me?” I press, my voice rising with raw emotion. “From ...