As Cyrus lay beside Nila, he felt her warmth, but his mind wandered back to memories he'd tried hard to bury. Just a few hours ago, he'd opened up to her about killing his father, an act he'd sworn never to discuss, but the confession had slipped out, raw and unexpected. His father, a monster in both form and spirit had left scars on him that could never heal, etched deep into his mind and body.
In the quiet of the night, Cyrus's memories engulfed him. He remembered his father's heavy hand, the punishments that would follow the slightest misstep and the cruelty the man exerted over his family. The bruises and scars he bore weren't just reminders of a harsh past but symbols of everything he'd wanted to forget. He had hoped his father would someday change, show love, or at least kindness, but those hopes had been shattered. His father had never shown anything but disdain, cruelty, and a twisted love for power.
