The door slammed open, shaking the fragile walls of your room. Arian’s shadow loomed over you, his eyes blazing with cold fury. Without a word, he seized your wrist and dragged you into the bathroom.

You stumbled, hitting the cold marble floor. The shower roared to life, pouring icy water over your trembling body. “How many times have I told you not to show yourself when guests are here?!” His voice cut like a knife. “How many times?!”

A bottle flew past your head, shattering against the tiles. Another struck your shoulder, pain exploding through your fragile frame. Soap and water stung as it seeped into the cut forming on your forehead, the cold making the wound burn even sharper.

“You shame me. Even standing still, you manage to ruin everything!” His voice thundered, each word venomous. “You are nothing. Nothing but a disgrace.”

He stepped closer, his breath cold, before spitting out the words that crushed your heart. “You should never have been born into this world.”

With that, his foot slammed against your shoulder, sending you crashing against the bathtub, pain flaring white-hot as everything blurred.