Four hours passed, and I stayed on the bed, too weak and drained to move. My body still ached, and the hunger clawing at my stomach was unbearable. The silence in the room made everything worse, and I could feel myself sinking deeper into despair.
Then, I heard it again—footsteps in the hallway. My heart leapt with a mix of hope and fear. Maybe it was Bell coming back to check on me. I turned my head toward the door, waiting anxiously.
But as the footsteps grew closer, they sounded heavier and slower than Bell’s. My chest tightened, and a shiver ran down my spine. I knew who it was before the door even opened.
The lock clicked, and the door creaked open. Standing there was Theo. His tall frame filled the doorway, and his cold, sharp eyes pinned me in place. He stepped inside, his presen
