No Strings Attached

Left to fend for herself in this godforsaken place, Leonora knew she couldn't let things continue this way.

Just then, she felt something being poured over her head.

Curious, she tilted her head back, catching a woman in the act of emptying a basin over her.

Leonora, who had always lived a life of privilege, had never experienced such indignity.

She sprang up and charged at the woman, with teeth clenched in rage. "What the hell did you just dump on me?"

The woman burst into raucous laughter. "Take a whiff. You'll figure it out."

It was then that Leonora noticed the foul, rancid odor invading her nostrils. She instantly realized what the liquid was. Furious, she raised her hand to strike the woman.

But her hand was only halfway up when it was abruptly seized, and a thudding blow came crashing down on her head.

A chair smashed over her, sending her world into a dizzying spin.

That was followed by a flurry of punches and kicks.

After a brutal half-hour beating, Leonora was left nearly dead.

she comprehend the severity of the words Heidi had once said to her about being humiliated

bid for mercy, Leonora was forced to her knees, begging for forgiveness. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

finally made

and stumbled onto

down, she saw a familiar

remembered. Gone was her porcelain skin. Her eyes lacked their

a close look, she

immediately welled up

over to Heidi, sobbing, "Heidi, how are you holding

a demon, kicking Leonora away as she swore viciously, "Get lost. I don't

widened in disbelief. "Heidi, it's me, Leonora. Don't you

any closer,

harsh as the pain in her

Leonora would be her savior, but now it was clear that

had narrowly escaped the beatings and didn't want to

ruthless, Leonora

we don't know each other. Nobody knows

as Heidi stepped into

could scream, her mouth was