Ye Zhao muttered "Lian" under his breath, the intensity of Qing Shi Lian's stare making it impossible for him to look away.
Every inch of his body was frozen with fear, his heart pounding in his chest.
The atmosphere was tense, as if a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.
Xia Tian had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind scars that were more than physical, they had left their mark on her soul.
Ye Zhao could see the pain written on her face, etched deep into the lines of her expression.
Her gaze was distant, as if she was looking at something that only she could see. He knew that the wounds she had suffered would never fade in this life or the next.
He braced himself for the inevitable backlash that would come from not being able to protect her, but instead of anger, all she gave him was a faint smile. With her head hung low, she muttered, "I failed, husband. I failed as a wife."
