Shen Xiao lay sprawled on the cold stone floor, his body trembling, every movement sending jolts of pain through his battered limbs.
His wrists and ankles were bound tightly, muscles weak and unresponsive. Beside him, Bai Zhi slumped against the wall, her swollen, bloodied face twisted in anguish and fury.
Her eyes snapped open, burning with accusations, "Look at me," she spat, voice hoarse and bitter. "This is all your fault. You brought this upon us! All your fault..." She was devastated and her face was ruined.
Shen Xiao's gaze flickered toward her, pain flashing behind his own. "I didn't..."
"You didn't what?" Bai Zhi cut him off, shaking her head. "Protect me? Save me? Or was this your plan all along? To watch me suffer while you play the victim? Have you fallen in love with her? Is that it?"
Shen Xiao's lips pressed into a hard line, unable to argue through the weight of his own guilt.
