Chapter 159: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN

As the days dragged on, Xina's patience wore thin, her restlessness growing with each passing hour. She was increasingly agitated by the absence of Gary, who had yet to come and rescue her from this isolated fortress. The only comfort she could draw from her captivity was that Edward, her captor, did not mistreat her. However, the way he loathed her unborn child unsettled her deeply. It was clear to Xina that once she gave birth, she would understand the nature of the 'help' Edward required from her. Edward was a vampire of royal lineage, a detail she had gleaned from Gary and Archer before her abduction. Beyond that, Xina was left in the dark, and the lack of information bred frustration. She sometimes found herself blaming Gary for his silence, for keeping her in ignorance about the true nature of her predicament. That night, Xina found herself wide awake, her mind plagued by worries. Sleep eluded her despite her best efforts. Driven by a restless curiosity, she decided to leave he