Aeliana's world had collapsed into pain, but this—this was worse.
The agony tearing through her body was unbearable, but the betrayal—the betrayal—that was what made her blood boil, what made her want to claw at him, to scream, to fight.
And still, Luca just watched.
Silent.
Unshaken.
Unmoved.
Her breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, the cursed veins in her arms pulsing as if alive. She forced herself to look up at him, her vision swimming, her hatred burning through the haze.
"You…" Her voice was hoarse, raw. Her fingers curled weakly against the ground, trembling with fury.
Her lips trembled, the words breaking between gasps of pain.
"You… bastard…"
Luca didn't flinch. Didn't react.
"You used me."
Her body spasmed violently, but she forced herself up, even if it was just an inch. Even if every nerve in her body screamed for her to collapse.
