Chapter 23

Miranda was escorted upstairs to the bedroom. Just as Bianca was about to leave, Miranda called out to her. "You're Gianna, aren't you?" she said with certainty. Although Gianna's looks had changed, her presence hadn't, and she was still easy to recognize. Gianna shivered, her hands and feet going cold. "Miranda, I've already paid back what I owed you. Please, just let me go." Miranda frowned. She hadn't said much, so why was Gianna reacting so strongly? "Gianna, what's wrong?" Miranda stepped forward, but before she could reach her, Gianna sank to the floor, hugging her knees and crying. "Don't… don't hit me. I promise I'll behave from now on." Miranda froze. She remembered how arrogant Gianna used to be. Whatever had happened to her must have been terrible to leave her like this. Crouching beside her, Miranda's voice grew gentle. "No one here is going to hurt you. It's okay. I won't hurt you." Being a woman herself, she couldn't help but feel pity looking at the state