The following morning, I awoke with a heavy heart, the weight of my sorrow almost suffocating me. The tears I had shed throughout the night had left my eyes swollen, and I couldn't overcome the overwhelming sense of despair that clung to me like a shroud. I wished desperately for an escape from the torment of my circumstances, the torment that Lucien had subjected me to.
As I lay there, still lost in the realm between dreams and reality, Lucien's imposing figure suddenly loomed in my doorway. His presence, like a storm cloud, cast a long, dark shadow over my fragile emotions. I felt my heart race in response to his commanding presence, and I knew that I was about to face another ordeal.
"Get up," his voice pierced through the stillness, devoid of any warmth or concern.
I hesitated for a
