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.

severity of the words Heidi had

for forgiveness. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

finally made the

and stumbled onto

as she lay down, she

was her porcelain skin. Her eyes lacked their usual sparkle, and she appeared dark and

look, she

up in

sobbing, "Heidi,

seeing a demon, kicking Leonora away

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

here! I don't know you. Get any closer, and I'll have the queen here give

words were as harsh as the pain in

be her savior, but now it was clear that Leonora was barely able to save

and didn't want to invite

Heidi so cold and ruthless, Leonora

we don't know each

the night, as Heidi stepped

could scream,