Chapter 173: Thirst and Venom

Elira

An hour crawled by, feeling as slow and agonizing as time itself. My wrists burned raw; the rough ropes bit deeper into my skin every time I shifted in the chair. The light bulb above me had died out long ago, leaving only the echo of my harsh breathing and the faint, distant hum of night insects outside the cabin walls.

Liora’s hateful words replayed constantly in my mind—a bitter poison I couldn't spit out. Pregnant. The syllable pulsed in the darkness ...