The moment the sound of the door closing echoed from outside, Alia sat up on the bed. Anashia was gone, but the air in the room was still thick with a suffocating sense of degradation. Alia couldn't stay on that bed for another second. Wrapping only the bedsheet around her naked body, she somehow stumbled toward the washroom.
Once inside, she slammed the door and locked it firmly. Standing before the mirror, her skin crawled with disgust at her own reflection. First Viktor last night, and now Anashia this morning—both had wielded their dominance over her body like a blade.
Alia turned on the shower and sat down under the freezing water. As the sound of the spray drowned out everything else, her internal walls finally crumbled. She pulled her knees to her chest and burst into loud, gut-wrenching sobs.
Her tears blended with the streaming water. She clawed at her own skin with both hands, as if trying to scrub away the memory of their touches. Her crying wasn't just a scream; it was a profound lament and the burning sting of humiliation. In this palace, she was a prisoner whose body was a battlefield for two lords.
Alia: (Whispering through her sobs) "Why... why did this have to happen to me? Anashia... I will never forgive you."
Alia sat naked under the cold water for a long time, weeping. Her tears were running dry, but the resentment in her heart was curdling into venom. She realized that these tears wouldn't bring her freedom.
Slowly, she stopped crying. Pushing her wet hair away from her face, she stood up. The torrent of water might have cleansed her body, but her soul was now burning with a thirst for lethal revenge. She looked into the mirror, staring fixedly at her bloodshot eyes. There was no helplessness left in that gaze anymore; there was only a destructive resolve.While sitting under the shower, Alia's gaze suddenly fell downward. As she examined every wound and mark of degradation on her body, she went still, looking at her private part.
She noticed blood stains and dark, bluish bruises. The brutality of last night combined with Anashia's frenzied intimacy just now had torn her delicate skin, creating horrific wounds. Those areas stung intensely at the touch of the water.
Alia shuddered for a moment. She gently touched the wounds with her hand and gritted her teeth in agony. This wasn't just a physical injury; it was living proof of the ultimate assault on her self-respect.
She realized that both Anashia and Viktor had treated her not as a human being, but merely as an object of desire. Looking at those droplets of blood, Alia felt the urge to cry again, but she composed herself. She turned the tap higher, trying to wash away the wounds with more water, though there was no way to wash the wounds of her soul.
Looking in the mirror, she bit her pale lip. This physical pain now became her source of strength. She thought to herself that she would settle the score for every single drop of blood. As long as these wounds remained unhealed, the fire of her revenge would not be extinguished.Alia knew it wasn't safe to go to a regular hospital in this state. Therefore, with utmost secrecy, she called a trusted, long-time private female doctor and requested her to come to her room immediately.
Once the doctor arrived, Alia stepped out of the washroom, wrapped herself in a thin linen robe, and lay on the bed. Her face was still pale, and her eyes were swollen. When the doctor entered, Alia signaled her to lock the door properly.
The doctor sensed the situation after seeing Alia's physical condition and the disarray in the room. With great hesitation and pain, Alia showed her the wounded area.
Alia: (In a broken voice) "Look at this... what is it? Why is this happening? Why won't the bleeding and this intense burning sensation stop?"
The doctor began to examine Alia's private part with extreme care. Alia's body recoiled in agony. After completing the checkup, the doctor let out a long sigh, her face reflecting deep concern.
Doctor: "Alia, your tissues are badly torn. Your body was in no condition to withstand the physical pressure that was applied to it. There is a risk of internal injury and infection. This bleeding isn't normal; it's a sign of severe trauma."
The doctor took out some ointments and painkillers.
Doctor: "I'm dressing the wounds, but you need long-term rest. Any further physical or mental stress could be dangerous for you right now."
Alia stared at the ceiling. As the wounds stung under the doctor's touch, she thought to herself this blood and these wounds aren't just injuries; they are the evidence for the downfall of Anashia and Viktor. When the doctor finished the dressing and looked at Alia with pity, Alia simply said in a cold voice, "Don't tell anyone." Alia's heart sank as she heard the doctor's words. She gripped the bedsheet tightly. Her worry and fear knew no bounds. She looked at the doctor helplessly and asked.
Alia: (In a fearful voice) "Why did this happen? Will it never get better? Will I... will I never be able to have intimacy again?"
The doctor took Alia's hand in hers and tried to reassure her in a calm voice.
Alia: "Calm down, Alia. Your body is going through intense shock right now, which is why you're thinking this way. You know why this happened the extreme force and friction have damaged the thin skin and tissues inside. But our bodies have the power to heal themselves."
The doctor paused and continued:
Doctor: "Don't think that it won't get better. With proper treatment and medication, these wounds will definitely heal. However, you must refrain from all forms of physical intimacy until you are fully recovered. If it happens again now, the infection could spread and cause permanent damage. You need to give your body at least a few weeks of rest."
Alia stared blankly at the sky outside the window. The doctor's words rang in her ears, but her mind was filled only with horrific memories.
Alia: "A few weeks? But will they give me that time?"
The doctor realized how precarious Alia's life was. She said in a low voice, "You have to stand up for yourself, Alia. In this state, any form of intimacy is not just painful, but potentially life-threatening. I'm writing down the prescriptions; if you use them correctly, you'll be back to normal very soon."
As the doctor left the room, Alia remained motionless on the bed. She felt that while her body might heal one day, the fear and disgust embedded deep in her soul might never fade. She steeled herself. Before these wounds could even heal, she had to do something to ensure those two lords would never dare to come near her again. Shortly after the doctor left, the sound of a car horn echoed outside. Viktor was back. He went straight to his room, freshened up, and then walked slowly toward Alia's room. He had no idea what Anashia had done in his absence or how devastated Alia truly was.
Viktor pushed open the door and entered. He saw Alia lying on the bed, her face pale and the bedsheet pulled up to her neck. Viktor sat down beside the bed. Water droplets were dripping from his damp hair, and the scent of expensive perfume wafted from him.
As he reached out to touch Alia's forehead, he noticed her flinch slightly. Viktor furrowed his brow and asked in a very soft voice:
Viktor: "What happened, Alia? Are you feeling unwell? Did something happen after I left?"
Alia couldn't look into Viktor's eyes. She felt as if he might sense exactly how Anashia had claimed her body just a short while ago. She simply gripped the bedsheet tighter.
Viktor: "Why aren't you speaking? On my way in, I saw Anashia sitting alone in his room, drinking. Did he say something to you? Why are your eyes so swollen?"
Alia knew that keeping the truth hidden was the smartest move for now. She replied in a very weak voice:
Alia: "My head is throbbing... and I think I have a bit of a fever. Just leave me alone, Viktor."
Viktor gently placed his hand on Alia's cheek. He could tell she was hiding something, but he assumed she just hadn't recovered from the ordeal of last night.
Viktor: "A fever? Should I call a doctor? Look, Alia, I know I went too far last night. But I'm here for you now. If you want, I'll stay here all night holding your hand."
Alia smiled inwardly. The very man who was one of the causes of her agony was now showing pity. She simply closed her eyes so Viktor wouldn't see the hatred and fear within them. Viktor still had no clue how painful those hidden wounds on Alia's body were at that moment. A familiar, cunning smirk played on the corners of Viktor's lips. He leaned in very close to Alia, his eyes filled with a sort of mockery and a hint of triumph.
Viktor: (Laughing) "I get it, Alia. It won't be possible for us to be 'intimate' today. Your battered body probably can't take it anymore, can it?"
Alia was startled. Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't understand how Viktor knew. Composing herself, she asked in a trembling voice.
Alia: "Who... who told you these things? How do you know?"
Viktor burst into a loud laugh this time. He leaned into her ear and whispered:
Viktor: "No one had to tell me, Alia. As I was coming in, I saw that doctor leaving your room. You probably forgot that the female doctor and the male assistant with her—they are our personal family doctors. They are on my payroll. It's impossible for you to hide anything from me."
Alia froze like stone. She thought the doctor was trustworthy, but she hadn't realized that even the walls of this palace had ears and that no one was beyond Viktor's reach.
Viktor: "They told me everything, Alia. Your injury, your bleeding... everything. Now tell me, who caused you such harm while I was away? It was Anashia, wasn't it? Did he come to claim his rights in my absence?"
Viktor's voice suddenly turned grave. Behind his laughter, a terrifying rage was brewing. Alia realized she was now caught in the middle of an ego war between two mafia lords. Her privacy was now in Viktor's hands, and her body was nothing more than a bloodied battlefield.
Alia couldn't find an answer. She only realized that there was no escape in this palace, and even her pain was now fuel for Viktor's amusement.