Chapter 40

I woke up slowly, trying to relieve the pain that radiated throughout my body. It felt heavy, and every little movement I made was painful, as if my body had just passed through a huge invisible weight. As I sat up slowly, the stabbing pain made me grimace and my tears unconsciously began to flow. Inside, I felt sore, disappointed, and as if I was trapped in an endless maze.

I knew it wasn't the first time I'd been here, in a room that seemed to be my own world for weeks. However, this time there were feelings that were more painful, more haunting. I felt a deep disappointment in Zask, as well as in myself. Silently, I hugged my knees, letting the tears fall relentlessly.

"Why?" I murmured softly, my voice almost a whisper. I knew that Zask, in his own way, had shown me care, but why did it keep feeling like an imposition? I curled up, letting the tears continue to flow, feeling more and more lost in feelings that I couldn't understand. In my heart, I began to question, was the kindness he showed me really sincere or just temporary?

Was this all just to ensure that he would get what he wanted, a successor? I couldn't understand what was going through that man's mind when he was so desperate for a successor that he would do such a horrible and depraved thing. And why should I? Why should I be the victim? Why not another woman? And why did he have to choose a human as his sex partner?

As my mind was still clouded with unanswered questions, I heard footsteps approaching my room. I raised my head slowly, and from behind the bars fencing the door, I saw Zerg standing with a meaningful expression on his face. His piercing gaze seemed to probe my mind, as if he knew exactly what was raging inside my heart.

I averted my eyes, I really didn't like being stared at like that, what was the need for him to always stare at me with a gaze like interrogating a social storage offender? I feel like he has no right to do that to me.

Ah, my feelings are becoming sensitive, the slightest treatment of others that I don't like will make my resentment this big. It's all because my emotions have become unstable.

"Ah, Lana," he said, his voice full of subtle mockery. "Are you starting to see the truth? Didn't I tell you that you should take my word for it? I never boasted, Lana. And now you're regretting your original decision."

I didn't answer, just stared at him blankly, tears still running down my cheeks. Zerg noticed my state and smiled a small smile, a smile that seemed triumphant. I knew that he enjoyed seeing me in this state, and it made my heart ache even more.

His words were indeed a slap that made me realise that I had been very stupid and naive, but I still felt unacceptable, I don't know to whom but certainly to the fate that I was experiencing now.

"Lana, you shouldn't be lulled by Zask's temporary kindness," he continued in a sarcastic tone. "He doesn't love you. You are merely a tool for him, a vessel to ensure his bloodline continues. When that child is born... do you think Zask will still be so sweet to you?"

Her words felt like thorns piercing my heart. I wanted to argue, but the sound was stuck in my throat. Every word she said brought me back to such a bitter reality, and inside, I couldn't completely reject the possibility that what she said was true.

I looked down, not wanting to see Zerg's face which seemed satisfied at my sadness. However, he continued anyway, as if he enjoyed seeing me caught in a dilemma.

"My offer has not expired," he said, his tone more serious. "I still accept you if you will agree to work with me. We've found more clues about the Bitfrox crystal, and the search is getting closer to the results we want."

I felt my heart in turmoil. On the one hand, I knew that this Zerg offer was a chance to free myself from the bonds that now haunted me every day. But on the other hand, I couldn't ignore the fact that Zask was the father of the child growing inside my womb. No matter how difficult this situation was, I couldn't just abandon him.

Zerg raised his eyebrows, watching my reaction intently. "Lana, all decisions are yours. But remember," he added, his voice taking on an almost threatening tone. "If you keep holding on to empty hopes, you'll only get hurt in the end. Do you really think Zask will take care of you after the child is born? No, Lana. He's just playing with you."

I looked down, feeling my feelings mixed up. His words echoed inside my head, making me even more trapped in confusion. On one hand, I wanted to believe that Zask had genuine feelings. However, on the other hand, Zerg's words planted a seed of doubt that grew more and more painful.

Finally, after a while, Zerg looked at me once more before turning around and stepping away. "Think carefully, Lana. I'm giving you a chance, but that chance won't be there forever." His voice echoed down the hallway as he left me alone in the piercing silence.

I could see the look in his eyes through his tail, so deep yet piercing, he seemed to be signalling that I had little choice but to follow his lead. It was scary, but being with Zask was just as scary, if not more painful.

I hugged my knees again, contemplating every word I had just heard. All those questions swirled in my head, leaving a trail that I couldn't erase. I knew that only I could make this decision, but choosing between Zask and freedom felt so difficult.

In my heart, I knew that I had to do something, but no matter what choice I made, I would still be hurt.