The room was plastered with photos, shockingly, all of them featuring .
Even the TV looped videos of my life—clandestine captures of my work and travels, all taken by Luna.
"You, what have you done to her?" I managed to keep my voice steady, but it trembled as the words left my lips.
Though Betty showed no outward change, I was certain Luna hadn't spared her, torturing her by so cruel ans.
My concern for Michael was due to Laura's involvent, but my worry for Betty was genuine; I still loved her deeply.
"Relax, I haven't laid a finger on her, though I was tempted to slap her twice. I didn't starve her either; she was fed daily. But every day, I made her face your photos and your videos on TV, forcing her to see you constantly yet never reach you, never see you in person. "
"It's a daily tornt, designed to break her down ntally..." Luna's eyes burned with a mix of hatred for the hurt caused to and the jealousy of a rival in love.
"Enough... let them go now..." I pleaded upon seeing Betty's condition through the screen—dazed and unresponsive, staring blankly at my image on the TV as if she had lost all sense of reality.
She looked more like a statue than a living person, only her occasional blinking betraying any sign of life.
At that mont, my heart ached unbearably for Betty.
Rembering her unwavering support during my toughest tis filled with guilt, which was why I had chosen to leave silently.
"Let them go now..." I repeated, but Luna turned away, her body language unyielding.
I had to press further.
"They treated you that way, and you're just going to swallow that?" Luna turned back, her eyes defiant, clearly struggling with resentnt.
"It's fate, I suppose. I bla only my own weakness. Michael is my ex-girlfriend's son, and I promised her I'd look after him. Betty stood by when I was at my lowest. "
"Even after all that's happened, I owe her. I don't hold any grudges; what's done is done, and it's all aningless now..." I stood up from my chair and walked to the window, gazing out at the clear blue sky.
"Fine, I'll release them, but you have to promise one thing?" After a long silence, Luna's voice ca from behind , hesitant and soft.
"Are you threatening ?" I turned to face her, and she quickly looked down, avoiding my gaze as if embarrassed to be bargaining at such a ti.
"It's not a threat, just that without this, you wouldn't agree..." Luna pondered for a mont, then lifted her head, her gaze firm and stubborn.
"She's not going to make marry her, is she?" I thought to myself, aware of Luna's increased attention towards lately, which was flattering yet overwhelming.
Marrying her was not sothing I desired, especially if my feelings for Betty had faded, perhaps leaving room for sothing with Luna.
"What is it?" I couldn't demand anything from Luna; she wasn't mine to command, and I didn't want to exploit her care for .
Agreeing to her terms seed like a fair trade.
"I won't tell you just yet, but don't worry, I won't make it difficult for you..." Luna, wise and perceptive, must have seen through my thoughts, explaining herself but her eyes briefly showing a hint of concealed disappointnt and sorrow.
"Aren't you going to see them?" Luna picked up her phone to make a call but glanced at one last ti.
I shook my head.
"Release those two, and give the boy so food..." Luna dialed a number and spoke briefly.
As soon as Luna hung up the phone, I rushed to the computer to watch the live feed.
The scene had changed dramatically.
The door to Michael's room swung open, and a figure clad in black entered, freeing Michael from the makeshift cross where he had been bound.
The mont the ropes were untied, Michael collapsed onto the floor, limp as a ragdoll, utterly drained from hunger.
Another figure in black brought in so food and set it down next to Michael on the floor.
The scent of food revived Michael; he sohow found the strength to lunge at the al, devouring it with the desperation of a starving animal.
anwhile, the door to Betty's room also opened, and a woman in black stepped inside.
Luna had planned this well: a man to guard Michael and a woman for Betty.
The woman glanced at the untouched food, but Betty showed no reaction—not even a glance towards the door or the woman who entered.
"You can leave now..." The woman in black spoke to Betty.
Betty heard her, but her response was shocking; she simply shook her head slightly.
Betty's refusal baffled the guard and even Luna, who was usually so astute.
Standing aside, I felt a pang of understanding, though unsure, as if there was still so unspoken connection between Betty and .
"You can leave now..." The woman repeated, only to be t with another firm shake of Betty's head.
The guard was at a loss, as this reaction was completely unexpected.
Normally, Betty should have been eager to escape this prison, but her refusal was clear and resolute.
Caught off guard, the woman looked up towards the cara, seeking guidance from Luna through the lens, knowing she could forcibly remove Betty but also aware of her special status.
"Wait here for ..." Luna glanced at before she left the room.
I started to follow but stopped, realizing I wasn't ready to face Betty yet.
I returned to the computer, eyes glued to the screen.
Less than a minute later, Luna appeared on the monitor, entering Betty's room.
Betty had been staring at the TV, unresponsive, but at the sound of Luna's footsteps, she turned her head towards the door, sensing who was approaching.
As Luna entered, Betty's gaze finally showed a flicker of emotion.
She slowly got up from the bed and stood on the floor, taking weak steps towards Luna, their eyes locking.
"So, you've beco addicted to staying here, huh? You don't want to leave!" Luna's voice was laced with sarcasm and contempt.
Betty, hearing Luna's scornful words, remained emotionally unflinching, her gaze steady and unusually calm, devoid of any hostility.
After Luna finished speaking, to the astonishnt of everyone watching, Betty slowly knelt before Luna.
The sound of her knees hitting the floor echoed sharply through the room.
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