Chapter 25: The Wife Who Survived
Tristana returns to Cristoff.
But something is… wrong.
She doesn't cry anymore.
Doesn't fight.
Doesn't hope.
The rejection didn't just break the bond.
It broke her.
She exists.
Breathes.
Moves.
But her soul feels… hollow.
Like something vital was carved out and never replaced.
Chapter 26: A Different Kind of Abuse
Cristoff notices immediately.
At first, he's pleased.
"She's finally learned," he says.
But then—
She stops reacting.
Stops fearing him.
Stops feeling anything.
And suddenly, the control isn't satisfying anymore.
Because he didn't tame her.
He erased her.