Chapter 14

Asa was drowning in a sea of despair, each breath more laborious than the last. Her eyes, swollen and red from endless tears, reflected her heartache. With a heavy heart and weary feet, she trudged from Biden's room to her own.

The stark reality of her situation was crushing: she felt used and violated by both her ex-husband and her current one. The scheme masterminded by Oleg was taking its toll on her, mentally and physically. Throughout the night, she cried, her sobs the only sound punctuating the silence of her lonely room.

(*Flashback to Oleg's house, before Asa's release*)

Oleg's face was painted with a cruel smile, his enjoyment of her suffering plainly evident. He yanked Asa's hair, drawing her face closer to his own.

"Please... let me be," she pleaded, her voice trembling amidst her sobs.

"Why would I do that when you are the source of my amusement?" he retorted, gripping her hair tighter. "You came looking for me, didn't you?"

"I came for my son!" she cried out in desperati