(Nicholas)
Pain like I'd never felt before tore through me. It radiated from my side, deep and sharp, spreading like fire across my ribs. I clutched at the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood, my fingers warm and wet as the crimson soaked my clothes.
Elara's figure faded as she walked away, her laughter still echoing in my ears. I struggled to stay upright, my mind scrambling to make sense of what had just happened, what she had done.
But even as the pain dulled my thoughts, the betrayal stung harder. I'd trusted her. I'd believed her lies, her soft words, the warmth of her embrace.
I thought she'd cared, even if only a little. And yet, here I was, slumped in a cold corridor, her blade in my side, and she was gone, leaving me like I was nothing.
