Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 81 - Chapitre 90

_Leah’s POV_I did not sleep that night.Even when my body lay still beside Kayden’s, my mind refused to rest. His arm was wrapped around my waist. He felt heavy and warm. His breathing was slow and deep; the steady rhythm of someone who trusted the world to stay calm until morning.I envied him.I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything again and again. Natasha’s voice. Her pause before answering. The smell in her room. The way her hands had trembled before turning still.Athena’s presence curled tighter around my thoughts.She is lying, Athena said quietly.“I know,” I whispered back. “But I need proof.”You already sense it, Athena replied. Your heart knows.“But Kayden doesn’t,” I murmured. “And if I accuse her without proof, I’ll hurt him.”Athena was silent for a moment.Truth often hurts before it heals.I swallowed hard.I turned carefully in Kayden’s arms and studied his face in the dim light. He looked peaceful, strong and safe. He had trusted Natasha without question. S

_Leah’s POV_Morning came too quickly.Sunlight poured into the dining room like nothing bad had ever happened. The long table was already set. Plates clinked softly. The smell of fresh bread and tea filled the air.But inside me, everything still felt uneasy.Athena was quiet. Watch carefully today, she whispered.“I will,” I murmured.Kayden walked in first. He looked calm and composed, like the Alpha everyone respected. Natasha followed behind him a moment later. She looked bright and relaxed, as if yesterday had never happened.I forced myself to smile.We all sat down together.Kayden cleared his throat. “Natasha, I want to apologize to you.”My heart tightened.He continued, “On behalf of Leah and for everything that happened yesterday. You did not deserve that.”Natasha shook her head gently. “There is no need, Kayden.”She glanced at me with a soft smile. “Leah and I already talked last night. All the differences between us have been resolved.”Kayden looked surprised. “Really

_Leah’s POV_Pain woke me up. A deep and heavy pain sat behind my eyes and throbbed inside my skull. My head felt like someone had hit it with a stone. I tried to move but my body felt stiff and strange. For a few seconds, I did not remember anything. Then everything rushed back at once. The restaurant. Natasha. The strange drink. The dizziness. My heart jumped in fear.I slowly opened my eyes. At first, everything was blurry. My vision would not focus. The room around me looked dark and unclear, like I was looking through fog. I blinked many times, trying to adjust. There was a weak and flickering light above me. It swung gently from the ceiling and made long shadows dance on the walls. The air smelled old and damp.Where was I?Athena’s voice came to me, faint and weak. Leah… are you alright?“No,” I whispered inside my mind. “Something is wrong.”I tried to lift my hands. I could not. Panic shot through me. My hands were tied tightly behind my back. Rough rope cut into my skin. My

_Leah's POV_Exhaustion finally dragged me under.I did not remember when my eyes closed. My body was still tied to the chair. My head was slumped forward and my neck was aching from the strain. My muscles screamed in pain. My wrists burned where the ropes cut into my skin. I was so tired that even fear could not keep me awake anymore.Athena’s presence wrapped weakly around my thoughts.Rest now, Leah, she whispered. You will need strength.“I don’t want to sleep,” I thought faintly. “What if he comes back?”You cannot fight like this, she replied. You must survive first.The darkness took me before I could answer.But suddenly, cold water slammed into my face.I gasped sharply as freezing liquid soaked my hair, my clothes and my skin. The shock ripped me out of sleep like a blade. My whole body jerked violently against the ropes. My heart raced in panic. I sucked in air desperately, choking and coughing as water ran down my face and neck.My teeth began to chatter instantly.I lifte

_Leah’s POV_Time passed slowly after Tariq left. I did not know how much time had gone by. The room stayed dim and cold. My body hurt everywhere. The ropes felt tighter with every breath I took. My hands throbbed. My shoulders burned. My throat was dry beneath the gag.Athena stayed close inside me. I could feel her presence like a thin shield around my heart.Stay with me, Leah, she whispered. Do not drift too far.“I’m here,” I replied inside my mind. “I’m trying.”The door creaked open again.My heart jumped painfully in my chest. Fear rushed through me like ice. I lifted my head as much as I could.Susan stepped inside.She wore a dark cloak that brushed the floor. Her eyes gleamed with cruelty when they landed on me. In her hands was a large leather bag. It looked heavy. It was old and stained, as if it had been used many times before.She smiled. It was not a kind smile. It was sharp and satisfied.“Well,” she said slowly, her voice smooth and cold. “We finally meet after so lo