Chapter 22

Queenie's words cut through Zachary like a venomous knife, each syllable twisting it deeper into his chest. He couldn't refute them because he knew Queenie was telling the truth. "Shut up!" He stepped forward, gripping her hair tightly, feeling the fragile strands snapping in his grasp as his expression grew more twisted. "What nonsense are you spouting? It's all because of your manipulation! You're the reason things turned out this way!" "See? I told you. You'd pin all the blame on me. You're nothing but a complete—" The next instant, searing pain shot through her stomach. She was kicked backward and slammed hard against the wall behind her. The intense pain and the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth overwhelmed her senses. She opened her mouth, but the agony left her momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, Zachary staggered back a step, his chest heaving violently. "I'm leaving." His voice was low and hoarse, a thick metallic scent seeming to permeate his throat. "Don't let