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.

words Heidi had once said to her about being humiliated and

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

was what finally made

and stumbled

she lay down,

but not as she remembered. Gone was her porcelain skin. Her eyes lacked their usual sparkle, and

a close look, she

immediately welled up

crawled over to Heidi, sobbing, "Heidi, how

seeing a demon, kicking Leonora away as

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

know you. Get any closer, and

were as harsh as the pain in

Leonora would be her savior, but now it was clear

had narrowly escaped the beatings and didn't want to invite trouble over

and ruthless, Leonora felt

know each other. Nobody

of the night, as Heidi stepped into the

scream, her mouth