Chapter 16

When Selena regained consciousness, she found herself in a completely sealed, pitch-dark room. The moment she tried to move, an unbearable sharp pain shot through her waist. There was no bandage, disinfectant, or treatment of any kind. She was so weak that even speaking felt impossible. But Justin wouldn't let her die so easily. Someone came regularly to deliver food. If she refused to eat, they forced it down her throat, ensuring she remained alive—just barely. A week passed. Just as Selena's wound began to show signs of healing, someone came in and roughly removed the stitches. The pain was excruciating, and her screams echoed through the basement as fresh blood seeped out. Justin watched it all unfold from the surveillance room. He held an old photograph of Norah, taken when their love was at its purest. Norah was smiling radiantly in the photo. Every time Justin looked at it, it felt like he had stepped back in time to a world where they were happy, even though they had