Chapter 40: Unwelcome Revelations

The girl’s laughter was a wicked sound, so malevolent that it felt as though it might engulf me whole. It was a noise I hadn’t heard before—a harsh cackle that seemed to revel in cruelty. It sent shivers down my spine, making me shrink involuntarily against the wall. “Of course not,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “It was merely a promise,” she continued with a twisted grin. “A promise to make your life a living hell if you ever set foot in here again. Did you really think I’d let you go unpunished for slapping my delicate cheeks?” I remained silent, unable to find any words to respond. The reality of the situation was settling in— her insults and provocations hadn’t been random outbursts. It dawned on me that her earlier cruelty might have been a calculated move to provoke a reaction from me, one she could use to justify whatever punishment she had in mind. The idea made me seethe with frustration. Had the meal been a trap? I felt a surge of anger at the realization that