"Jackson, I... I just came to check on Helena..." Laica whimpered, tears sparkling as she trembled pitifully in his arms.
Jackson turned, his eyes cold and cutting like shards of ice. "Helena—what the hell is wrong with you now?"
"She—she sent those photos online!" Helena's voice shook with rage.
But Jackson only looked more disgusted. "Those photos were leaked by those thugs from last night! I've already handled it!"
"Laica came out of kindness, and you still slandered her?!" His voice cracked like a whip. "Apologize to her!"
Apologize?
Helena stared at him, eyes burning with disbelief and hatred. "I did nothing wrong."
"I won't apologize."
Jackson's expression hardened into fury. His patience snapped. He turned to the guards at the door, his voice like steel.
"Lock her in the basement."
"No food. No water. Let's see how long she can keep that stubborn mouth shut."
The guards grabbed her roughly. Helena didn't struggle.
She only turned her hollow, lifeless eyes toward Laica—who was nestled in Jackson's arms, smiling triumphantly.
...
Darkness. Cold. Hunger.
Time blurred.
Helena didn't know how long she'd been locked in the basement. Her lips were dry, her body weak, her stomach twisting in pain.