nd her, amplifying the anxiety swirling in her stomach. She had been in this world for less than a week, but already, it felt like

ow little control she actually had. He was stone-faced,

u do?" Isabella asked quietly, almo

fixed forward. It was a long moment befor

luxury," he said, his words heavy. "You either accept wh

her like a punch to the gut. She was in

ground levels, the silence grew thicker, suffocating her with each passing floor. Isabella tried to

ollowed, her heart pounding louder with each step. They walked down another narrow ha

man was tied to a chair, his face bruised and bloodied. Isabella's stomach lurched at the

old and detached. Isabella walked o

t know if he could hear her. He was bar

ssociate, was once part of her world. And now, she had to make the u

ble. It was cold, heavy, and unforgiving in her grip. He

, her voice shaking. "I

o hers, unblinking. "Yo

as almost unbearable. She had spent her life avoiding moments like this-avoiding choi

alm. The cold metal glinted under the harsh lights, and for a mome

nd when they met hers, there

roaked, his voic

to recognize her. This wasn't supposed to be personal. I

red, her voice cra

co stepped forward, his han

This is the world we live in no

. He was right. In this world, mercy was a

a, please... don't do this," he begged, his voice hoarse with f

e door slamming open behind them. Isabell

e stood in the d

e before locking onto Isabel

ly, his voice smooth

hind him. Alexander's eyes never left Isabella as he walked toward

ce low, almost dangerous. "You've crossed a lin

is words pressing down on her. She had crossed a line. She had taken the fi

who was still slumped in the cha

said coldly. "He's of

ked, confused

xander interrupted, his voice sharp

htly in her hand. She wanted to argue, to fight b

oom," Alexan

wly backed away, the knife slipp

that she had just lost something-something important. Her huma

n its place, something