"When darkness intensifies, light is born from the womb of patience." — Khalil Gibran
Have you ever touched my heart and healed my wounds?
Have you ever made my soul soar in peace,
my body rest in safety,
and wiped the tears from my eyes?
Have you ever eased the pain of my broken heart?
I no longer know who I am, or who I should be.
I remain trapped within the folds of sorrow…
waiting for a relief that feels near.
And deep inside me lives a hope…
that God hears my whispers—and will surely save me.
While Lulu, the maid, writhed in pain, Daigo intervened.
(Lulu was Serene's maid and friend, while Daigo was the one who had kidnapped Serene.)
Daigo:
"Let her go, you bastard! Can't you hear me? I'll kill you if you hurt them!"
Serene's father:
"Hahahaha… Really? Did you hear what he said, you fool? Not only that—you dare to challenge your master?"
He looked at the three of them with a cunning smile, as a vile idea crossed his mind.
"Ah… well, it seems I'm going to enjoy myself a lot today. The sound of that wretch screaming as electricity runs through her… I love the sound of her suffering—it soothes my raging nerves like music."
His smile widened, his eyes gleaming with twisted delight.
"And even better… this worthless maid who dares to defy me. Tonight will be delightful with you. And having you here too, you punk… your interference will bring me great pleasure. Hahahaha!"
Serene finally understood what her father meant—and the evil hidden behind his laughter. She shouted:
Serene:
"Listen to me, you monster! If you want to torture someone, then take it out on me—I don't care! But don't you dare touch those I love. Let Lulu and Daigo go… or I swear, I'll make you see things you've never seen in your life. Is that clear?!"
Her father:
"Wow… look at that. The kitten has shown her fangs. Where did you get the nerve to challenge me? So, you want to save them, huh—"
He was interrupted by a message on his phone demanding his immediate presence.
"Enjoy your final chat. I'll be back shortly… don't worry, I've prepared a special welcome for you. Hahahaha."
He left quickly.
Lulu (crying in pain):
"No… don't do this! How long will you endure his torture? You always sacrifice yourself for us. Please stop! Don't think about me—I'll give my life for you. Just promise me you won't break… leave this hell and stop worrying about others!"
Daigo:
"Stop talking nonsense! How can you say that? You know your place in our hearts. We won't leave you—even if it costs us our lives. He won't keep his word. He'll never change. Please, stop!"
Serene:
"Do you really think that will make him stop? No… please, both of you, leave. I can't lose you too. I've already lost enough. Why should I lose you as well? No… you must escape before his men return. Please… go!"
Shine, O sky…
Dance among the clouds to the melody of darkness.
A symphony played by the fingers of tragedy,
A soul bleeding the blood of loss…
Sway, O trees…
For time has emptied itself of the horrors of fate and life.
And you, broken souls… rise again,
For healing will come, and every fracture will mend.
The field of the heart shall bloom with peace,
And stolen breaths will return with the fragrance of life.
The criminal returned, a victorious smile on his face, accompanied by his men.
"Take them—all of them—to our usual place."
Fear gripped Serene as her heart trembled at what was coming.
After some time, they arrived.
A new chapter of suffering was about to begin… but this time, it would be different.
Daigo and Lulu were placed on beds and restrained, while Serene remained tightly tied to a chair.
"Begin the show. I'm really going to enjoy this."
Moments later, Serene's screams filled the entire mansion—
cries of unbearable pain as electricity surged through her body, stronger than ever before.
Lulu and Daigo screamed in rage, swearing to kill him.
But after minutes… Serene's voice faded—she had lost consciousness.
"At some point, pain stops screaming… not because it left, but because it settled deep within the soul." — Albert Camus
After a while, Serene regained consciousness, exhausted.
She saw Daigo and Lulu lying on the beds, staring at her with concern.
"You're awake."
Her father spoke, lost in the pleasure of recalling her screams.
Serene (shouting):
"Let them go! You got what you wanted—why are they still here?!"
Her father:
"Hahahahaha… Did you really believe that? No, you foolish girl. You're about to remember something you forgot… I can't wait to see your face when you do. Hahahaha!"
He ordered his men to move her chair in front of Lulu's bed.
With every step, Lulu's soul seemed to shatter—she had already understood his intention.
Moments later, her screams echoed through the room.
Daigo shouted threats. Serene begged him to stop.
But no one listened.
Then he turned to Daigo:
"Don't worry… I'll kill you both. But first, I'll take your organs—they're quite valuable. Worth millions. Hahaha."
Without warning, he ordered the doctor to begin.
The blade pierced Daigo's body.
Serene screamed… but there was no response.
Then, Daigo spoke weakly:
"Don't… stop begging this monster. Believe me… I loved you like a sister. Knowing you made me happy. You were the reason for my joy… thank you. Live your life. Follow your dreams… and be well. Don't blame yourself—it's not your fault…"
And with those final words… Daigo died.
The doctor turned to Lulu.
Before he began, she spoke with a faint smile:
"I've never met anyone as kind and strong as you, my lady. You treated me like an older sister… respected all the servants and made us your family. Despite your pain, you smiled and kept going. Don't worry… do what Daigo said. Don't blame yourself—you are the purest soul I've ever known…"
Her words were cut short.
The blade pierced her body.
Her screams echoed—until silence.
Her heart was taken… then the rest of her organs.
All under Serene's eyes.
She didn't speak.
She couldn't.
The shock… was too great.
She fainted.
Hours later, she woke up in her room.
The head maid stood beside her, crying.
Head Maid:
"Oh, my little one… you're awake. How do you feel? Should I call the doctor?"
No response.
Serene stared at the ceiling…
her eyes holding something unreadable.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Fear crept into the maid's heart.
Until finally… Serene spoke.
And what she said made the woman's heart nearly stop.
What will happen next?
What did Serene say to cause such a reaction?
We'll discover that in the next chapter…
"The cruelest thing about pain is that it shapes within us expressions that never fade, and teaches us to smile while we bleed." — Ghada Al-Samman