Chapter 223

Rebecca's POV

I had lost track of time months ago. The damp, cold air of the dungeon felt like a second skin, and the chains on my wrists had long since rubbed my flesh raw. For four relentless months, I had wallowed in regret, anger, and fleeting hope. The rattling of iron keys was an ominous precursor to the presence of another soul, however unwanted.

I heard footsteps in my darkened corner, half hidden from view. The faint murmur of voices outside my cell drew nearer and grew louder. My pulse quickened. Visits were rare, and they never bore good news. Then, the cell door next to mine creaked open, and my eyes widened.

A veil of disbelief wrapped me. Was that—? No, it couldn’t be. But as the figure stepped into the cell adjacent to mine, the unmistakable presence of Cassandra stood before me. My shock turned into uncontrollable laughter, sharp and bitter against the silence. Had I finally gone mad? Was my mind playing cruel tricks on me?

"Rebecca," Cassandra's strained and desperate