Chapter 21

Aurora barged into the room and, as expected, saw Wendy lying lifelessly on the bed. Her body was covered in bruises and welts. Her arms and face bore dark purple marks, her lips were smeared with blood, and her disheveled clothes revealed lash marks beneath. "Mom!" Sebastian rushed forward before collapsing at her side, crying uncontrollably. Aurora's gaze darkened, her chest tightening painfully. They had only parted at noon, and Wendy had been perfectly fine. How could things have deteriorated so quickly? "Bash? Don't cry, Bash. I'm okay. Don't be scared…" Hearing Sebastian's cries, Wendy struggled to open her eyes, her voice weak and tremulous. "Mom! Aurora, please save her!" Sebastian pleaded, tears streaming down his face. Taking a deep breath, Aurora stepped forward, carefully helping Wendy sit up. "Aurora? Why are you back? You shouldn't be here! You need to leave—leave right now!" Wendy panicked the moment she recognized her daughter, her hands tremb