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.

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

forced to her knees, begging for forgiveness. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

what finally made the

stumbled

she lay down, she

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

a close look, she

welled up

to Heidi, sobbing, "Heidi,

away

disbelief. "Heidi,

here! I don't know you. Get any closer, and I'll

words were as harsh as

Leonora would be her savior, but now it

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

ruthless, Leonora felt both heartbroken

don't know each other. Nobody knows anybody

as Heidi stepped into the restroom, Leonora cornered her

could scream, her mouth was