In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 57: Torture

The sun streamed through the half-drawn curtains, painting the walls in a golden hue that felt almost mocking. Ibrahim stood at the door, his hand on the knob. His gaze lingered on Zara's pale face, her fragile frame nestled into the bed like a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest touch. His jaw tightened. He had no choice but to leave; his subordinates awaited him.

He turned and walked out, but with every step, his heart grew heavier.

Inside the room, silence reigned. Moments passed before Zara's eyelashes fluttered open. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths as she adjusted to her surroundings. Her body ached, not just from physical exhaustion but from the emotional turmoil that had haunted her for months.

The window drew her attention. The sunlight pouring in should have felt warm, comforting even, but it felt distant-an unwelcome reminder of a life that once felt simple, secure. She sat up slowly, her fingers brushing against the bedsheet as memories of the last eleven months came flooding back. Betrayal, captivity, and survival. Each memory clawed at her, pulling her deeper into a void she didn't know if she could escape.

A soft knock broke the spell.

"Come in," Zara said weakly, her voice barely audible.

The door creaked open, revealing Sophia. Her face was pale, her eyes red from crying. The moment she saw Zara sitting upright, a sob escaped her lips, and she rushed into the room.

"Zara!" she cried, running to the bed. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms tightly around her.

Zara gasped, wincing slightly at the sudden embrace. Sophia quickly pulled back, panic flashing across her face.

"I'm so sorry!" Sophia stammered, her hands shaking. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... I couldn't stop myself."

Zara, despite her weakness, managed a faint smile. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice raspy. "You don't need to apologize."

Sophia hesitated, her guilt still evident, but she sat beside Zara on the bed. Her hands fidgeted in her lap as she looked down, unsure how to begin.

"I... I've been so scared," Sophia finally said, her voice trembling. "When I heard what happened to you, I couldn't stop thinking about all the terrible things that might have happened. I couldn't sleep, Zara. I..." Her words faltered as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Zara watched her, her own heart aching at Sophia's pain. Slowly, she reached out, her hand barely grazing Sophia's. "I'm here," Zara murmured. "I made it back. That's what matters now."

Sophia shook her head. "No, Zara. It's not that simple. I can see it in your eyes. You're hurting-more than you're letting on."

Zara looked away, her gaze fixed on the window once more. "Hurting doesn't even begin to describe it," she said softly.

Sophia hesitated before speaking again. "If you don't mind me asking... what happened to you? How did you survive? You don't have to tell me if it's too much, but..." She trailed off, her thoughts briefly flashing to Marcello's words. 'These people are ruthless, brutal. It's nearly a miracle they didn't sell or kill your stepmother.'

Zara's expression darkened. Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet, her knuckles turning white. "You want to know how I survived?" she asked, her voice laced with bitterness.

Sophia nodded hesitantly, her heart pounding in her chest.

Zara's hand trembled as she wiped the tears from her face, but they kept coming. Her shoulders shook, her chest heaving with the weight of her sobs "Your little brother saved me."