CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 425 CRUELTY

Karl’s fingers trembled as he reached into his robe pocket. For a moment he thought he had nothing, but then his hand brushed against the small emergency pouch Ruby had always insisted he carry. A shaky smile spread across his face. "Wife..." he whispered under his breath, clutching it tightly. Inside, nestled between bandages and small items, was the phone.

He pulled it out quickly, his heart pounding, and pressed the button. The line rang once, twice—then connected.

"Karl! Where are you!!!" Ruby’s voice burst through, filled with worry but also relief.

Tears welled in his eyes the second he heard her. His voice broke as he answered, "I don’t know... I don’t know where I am. There’s a witch here—she said her business almost got destroyed because of you... I don’t understand, Wife, I don’t know what to do..." His voice cracked into a sob, fear lacing every word.

"Calm down, Karl!" Ruby’s voice was steady, strong, the anchor he needed.

Karl sniffled, looking over at Kaelan slumped against the wall, his body weak, his face streaked with blood. His chest tightened painfully. "And Kaelan... he’s injured badly. I don’t know what to do, Wife. I can’t just watch him like this!"

Ruby drew in a deep breath on the other end, forcing herself to think quickly. "Listen to me carefully, Karl. In the pouch, there should be a small cream for wounds. Take it out and apply it on Kaelan’s injuries, especially where he’s bleeding. Then rip a piece of your robe and use it as a bandage. Tie it firmly to stop the bleeding, understand?"

Karl wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and nodded even though she couldn’t see him. "O-okay... I’ll do it." His voice was small, but steadier now with her guidance.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Heavy, slow, growing nearer. Karl froze, his heart leaping into his throat.

"Wife—" he whispered quickly, panic returning. "I’ll call you later."

He shoved the phone back into the pouch, tucking it inside his robe. Then he hurried back to Kaelan’s side, dropping to the ground. His hands hovered nervously before he leaned close, pretending to be just as weak and broken, hoping the witch would believe they were both helpless. His heart hammered as the footsteps stopped right outside the door.

The door creaked open slowly, and Karl’s body stiffened. Lex stepped inside, her heels clicking against the stone floor, the smell of her perfume cutting through the foul air of the basement. Her sharp eyes swept across the room, landing on Karl.

He quickly lowered his gaze, his body slouched close to Kaelan, trying to look weak, obedient, broken—just the way she wanted him. His chest rose and fell heavily as if he had no strength left.

Lex studied him for a long moment, her lips curving into a slow, satisfied smile. "That’s better," she murmured, her voice dripping with approval. "Obedient little ghost."

Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction, as if seeing Karl so quiet and still gave her control she craved. The smile on her face deepened, cold and dangerous, as she stepped further inside, the door shutting behind her.

Karl’s heart thudded painfully in his chest the moment he saw her smile. It wasn’t warm or kind—it was cruel, twisted, the kind of smile that promised nothing good. His stomach turned as she stepped closer, that satisfied look fixed on her face like she was savoring his fear.

He tried not to meet her eyes, but it was impossible to ignore the way they gleamed, sharp and dangerous. His hands curled into fists against the floor, his whole body tense though he forced himself to stay still. Don’t move... don’t make her angry... he told himself, but the fear clawed deeper the longer he watched her expression.

Her cruel smile made the room feel smaller, darker, and every part of him screamed to run, but all Karl could do was sit there, trembling inside, praying she wouldn’t notice the way his breath hitched in panic.

Karl’s breath caught in his throat as Lex began to walk toward him, her steps slow, deliberate, each one making his chest feel tighter. The cruel satisfaction from before faded into something colder, sharper. Her face was like stone now, her smile thin and merciless.

He pressed his back slightly against the wall, his body tense, his palms damp with sweat. His eyes flickered toward Kaelan’s still form, then back at her, his fear rising with every step she took.

"Hahaha..." Lex’s laugh rang low and chilling, nothing like real amusement. She leaned forward slightly, her blue eyes locking onto his. "I am going to enjoy it when your wife comes crawling, begging at my steps for you."

Her smile widened, cruel and cold, her gaze drilling into him as though she was already imagining the scene.

Karl’s blood ran cold. His lips trembled, and he couldn’t even find the words to answer. All he could do was stare back, frozen, as her cold smile burned itself into his memory.

Lex’s cruel smile suddenly twisted darker. Without warning, her hand shot up, and the sharp crack of her palm hitting Karl’s cheek echoed through the basement. His head jerked to the side, his skin burning instantly where she struck him.

"You think your wife is so clever?" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "She deserves to see this misery... she deserves to know what happens when she crosses me!"

Another slap followed, harder, making Karl’s vision blur for a second. He gasped, the sting spreading across his face, but before he could even recover, her hand came down again. Smack. Smack. Each strike was fueled with spite, each one making his ears ring.

Karl’s eyes watered from the pain, his chest heaving as he tried to steady himself. His lips quivered, his whole body shaking, but he clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to cry out again. Inside, though, he felt small and helpless, his fear wrapping tighter with every slap she delivered, her cruel laughter echoing in his ears.

To be continued... 🪄