The Devils Claim

Chapter 5 A Night of Chains and Shadows

Katherine cursed with disgust. "Are you sick?"

The muscles on Leon's face twitched slightly. Without warning, he grabbed the back of her head, yanking her toward him harshly.

However, Katherine refused to surrender. She gritted her teeth, holding her ground, staring fiercely at the colossal figure in the darkness. Though she couldn't completely make out his face, one thing was certain — this man must hate the Sinclair family immensely. Enough to exact such cruel revenge on her.

"What are you pretending for?!" Leon's voice rang out again, relentlessly domineering.

Katherine pressed her hand against the edge of the bed in staunch resistance. Tears welled in her eyes, spinning like fragile glass before falling silently with a soft plink. Yet, she refused to utter a single sound.

"You're asking for death..." Leon growled, frustration lacing his tone.

Katherine lifted her head, laughing bitterly. "Just how much do you hate the Sinclair family? Enough to resort to such twisted means of revenge? And against a weak woman like me? Using such cruel and ridiculous methods?"

Leon's grip suddenly loosened before his hand moved to her neck, tightening menacingly. The startling sound of pressure against her throat echoed in the silent room.

Katherine's face turned pale with fear. She couldn't even cry out. It was as if her breath had been wrenched away, leaving her gasping in silence.

"Don't think that just because you're a little clever, you can guess everything!" he said forcefully, arrogance dripping from his words.

But Katherine didn't back down. Even in the face of death, her eyes remained locked onto his, full of unyielding defiance.

Leon had never encountered a woman as stubborn as her. His grip suddenly loosened, and in one swift motion, he leaned over her, forcing her to collapse under his weight. She had no room left to retreat.

Katherine remained silent, her trembling hands clutching the bedsheet. Tears trickled down her cheeks, soaking into the fabric. Amidst the torment, she closed her eyes.

She thought of her sister.

Her sister had always told her that pain and hardships would pass. That she had to endure. That she had to be strong.

"Sister..." she whispered weakly.

At some point, Leon had grown tired of her resistance and left the bedroom.

The cold air bit at her skin. Her body, left exposed, felt frozen and stiff. Any slight movement sent waves of pain rippling through her. Slowly, she stumbled toward the bathroom, desperate for a warm bath.

But when she turned the faucet, nothing came out.

No water.

Frustrated, she reached for the light switch, flicking it repeatedly.

Nothing.

The room remained submerged in darkness.

Defeated, Katherine sank onto the bed, staring at the intricate ceiling before shifting her gaze to the small window, where only specks of moonlight seeped through.

Dawn was approaching. The sky had begun to pale.

Clutching the silk quilt tightly around her trembling body, she curled up and drifted into a restless, shallow sleep.

For some reason, the temperature seemed to drop even further. No matter how tightly she hugged herself, the cold refused to leave her bones.

Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, she sat up.

Morning had arrived, but the enormous bedroom remained sealed, with only a faint sliver of light filtering through a tiny hole in the curtains.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a shrill voice pierces the silence.

"Little wench, get up!"

Katherine peeked out from beneath the covers, her gaze landing on a middle-aged woman with a thoroughly unpleasant expression. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her posture brimming with hostility.

"What are you yelling at?" Katherine snapped, her voice sharp despite her weakness. Even though hunger had drained her strength, she refused to let her spirit break. If she showed weakness now, this wretched woman would walk all over her.

"Eat!"

The woman's tone softened slightly, but her attitude remained crude. With an impatient scoff, she tossed a plate of food onto the bedside table and turned on her heel, stomping out of the room without another word.