until she was trembling with desperation…
Money became the only way for her to “prove she loved me.”
As expected—
She agreed without hesitation.
The next day, Clara came as usual to bring me food.
But this time, Marielle didn’t come.
Instead, Isabelle showed up, walking in beside Clara.
A twenty-year-old girl with clear eyes, a clean smile, no schemes—her whole being glowing with the brightness of youth.
And I—
Just a few years older than she was,
yet already like a flower that had withered too early,
my innocence ground down to nothing,
leaving only scars, shadows, and cold clarity.
The moment Isabelle saw me, her eyes instantly reddened.
She rushed to me and carefully held my injured left hand.
Not only were my fingers broken—my hand, my arm, all of it was covered in wound
