Chapter 22
Lina leaned on the housekeeper’s arm as she was helped out, and just like that, the basement was suddenly empty except Kylie, and a man she barely recognized
Kyle’s eyes were wild with fear. She stared at the man she’d once loved with her whole heart, but now, all she saw was a monster
“Bruno, you’ve lost your mind! You’re insane! Aren’t you afraid of what’s coming for you? Her voice was rough, every word shaky and weak, like she hadn’t had water in days
Bruno glanced at her, then crossed the room in two strides. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. The fear in her ayes only made him laugh, cold and cruel
“Karma? Why would I be scared? Did any of you ever worry about consequences when you did what you did? And now you want to talk me about punishment?”
Kylie’s eyes flickered with confusion
What was he even talking about?
Suddenly, she thought maybe this was all a misunderstanding Desperate, she squeezed out a few tears and tried her best to look innocent, her voice trembling but determined.
“Bruno, you’ve got it wrong. I don’t know what you mean. Honestly, I haven’t done anything
But before she could say more, Bruno shoved her away so hard she nearly fell. He wiped his hands with a handkerchief, like she was something filthy he needed to get off his skin
Humiliation and rage threatened to spill over, but Kylie was in no position to argue. She’d imagined Bruno getting angry, maybe even shouting at her, but never this never this icy hatred, like he wanted to cut her open with his bare hands
And then the words that followed hit her like a punch
“Five years ago, you staged that whole thing so Lina almost got assaulted. Now I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine You’d better hold up. Kylie, because if you break, this won’t be any fun for me at all ́1
Kylie felt the world freeze. Lina, who’d just left. The men who’d gotten their hands broken, Herself, chained up in this basement, And this stranger beside her, whose face was naggingly familiar
It all came together, every clue forming an answer she didn’t want to believe
“So, all of this it’s for Lina?“,
Bruno didn’t bother to deny it. He stood up, his silence the only answer she needed “As long as you all get what’s coming to you Lina will forgive me.“)
He looked over at the man trying to disappear into the shadows and tossed him a single, chilling line. “She’s yours. The worse you make it for her, the better your chances of getting out of here.”
The guy’s head snapped up, a sick smile spreading across his face as he watched Bruno leave “Don’t worry. Mr. Morris. I won’t disappoint you!“}
Kylie’s survival instinct screamed at her to run, but the chains locked around her ankles made escape impossible
She caught one last glimpse of Bruno’s back as he walked away. Her composure broke, and she started to sob, her voice echoing off the basement walls I
“Bruno, you can’t do this! Please, Bruno, I’m sorry! I’ll apologize, just don’t leave me!”
“Bruno”
The basement was soundproof, but even so, her cries and desperate pleas still seemed to fill the space
The people who’d hurt her were finally getting what they deserved, but somehow, Lina felt no satisfaction at all
Bruno came back to her side and crouched down, searching her face “So, Lina. Are you happy now? If not, just tell me. Whatever it tak for you to forgive me–f’ll do it′′E
Lina looked up at him–his suit still flawless, not a hair out of place But the heaviness in her chest wouldn’t lift no matter what he did
he stared at him for a moment, finally realizing what was bothering her
“Tut’s it?” she asked quietly
hesitated, then softened, his voice gentle, almost doting Like nothing she said could ever anger him -anly make hemm wandi
ne mough!
“What’s missing Lats
“Bruno, it wasn’t just them who hurt me.”
Bruno’s expression darkened. He grabbed her wrist, trying to keep his voice steady. “Who else? Tell me. I promised you, anyone hurt you–I won’t let a single one off the hook.“}
who ever
“Bruno, do you really not get it?“%
