Chapter 266: Each night brought fresh horrors
"Aeris?"
She turned like a ghost caught in the light. Xu Kai stood at the end of the hall, his brows drawn in alarm the second his gaze landed on her. His shirt hung loose, hair slightly damp like he’d just come out of a shower—but his attention was all on her.
"What happened to you?"
His voice was calm. But laced with concern so sharp it cut.
Aeris opened her mouth—but no sound came. Her lips trembled, but her throat refused to form words. She shook her head weakly instead, like denial could erase the blood, the scratches, and the trembling that had taken over her bones.
"N-Nothing," she finally stuttered. A lie. A fragile, broken one.
But he didn’t push. Didn’t demand answers. He stepped forward with slow, steady movements, as if approaching a wounded creature. And when he reached her, he raised a hand to silently offer comfort.
"If you can’t talk right now... that’s okay," Xu Kai said softly. "Let me help you first."
Aeris bit her lip, eyes stinging. Her throat tightened.
He led her gently to the bathroom. She didn’t protest. She couldn’t. She needed this kindness—needed him—and she hated how much.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, she leaned over the sink and gripped its edges like it was the only thing holding her up.
She was beyond filthy. Dirt smeared across her arms, blood dried into dark patches on her skin, and her reflection... didn’t even look like her. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her eyes held the kind of fear she hadn’t shown anyone. Not even herself.