Andrew paced the confines of his office, his fists clenched as the ache in his chest intensified with every passing hour. It had been four days. Four agonizing days, since Melody’s departure, and the bond he shared with her had become a conduit for her suffering. He felt every lash, every bruise, every ounce of pain she endured as if it were his own. It wasn’t just physical—the emotional torment was just as sharp. He had begged the Goddess daily to transfer her pain to him. At times, he thought his prayers were being answered.
The sharp stabs in his back mirrored lashings he could only imagine were tearing her apart. His chest burned, searing with a constant ache, as though his heart might shatter under the weight of it all. The regret of waiting to reach her gnawed at him like a relent
