His fingers gently traced my cheek, his eyes brimming with tenderness. "Sophia, what am I going to do with you?"
I weakly lifted my gaze, but the mist in his eyes remained impenetrable.
The System's alert blared in my mind, "Forty-eight hours remaining before world detachment!"
A faint, bitter smile tugged at my lips as my strength drained away. Darkness swallowed my vision, and I lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes again, Lucas Roscente was sitting by the bed, his warm palm enveloping my hand. "Sophia, you're finally awake."
"This was just a small punishment. As long as you learn your lesson, it's fine. No matter what, you'll always be the most important to me."
"No, I didn't do anything wrong!"
A bone-chilling cold crept up from my feet. I struggled to pull my hand back but found my legs unusually heavy.
When I threw off the silk blanket, my entire body froze.
Thick iron chains coiled around my ankles, the other end deeply embedded in the wall.
Lucas's voice was icy. "As expected, you never learn."
"Sophia, stay here and reflect on your mistakes. Once Isabella gives birth safely, you'll regain your freedom."
Three days without food or water had left me hollow. The pent-up despair and injustice churned in my chest, and a metallic taste rose in my throat.
Blood splattered across the pristine white sheets, blooming into stark crimson flowers.
Lucas rushed forward, pulling me into his arms. "Sophia!"
At that exact moment, Isabella stumbled into the room.
Clutching her swollen belly, beads of sweat dotted her forehead. "Lucas, the pain—I can't bear it!"
Without hesitation, Lucas released me and swept the pale Isabella into his arms.
Isabella glanced back at me, feigning concern. "But Sophia—"
"Leave her." Lucas cut her off coldly. "She's an expert at putting on acts!"
"If she hadn't provoked you repeatedly, would your condition be so unstable?"
Watching their retreating figures, I slowly closed my tear-filled eyes.
So, in his heart, my pain was just an act, while every tear from Isabella was precious.
The System's voice echoed again, "Twenty-four hours remaining before detachment."
"One final wish will be granted before departure."
My voice was barely a whisper. "I want him to see the truth."
I wanted to witness the moment when the mask of lies was torn away—what expression would Lucas wear then?
The mechanical voice of the System reverberated through the empty room.
"Truth Revelation Protocol—activated."