Her grip was like iron.
Valentina's eyes widened in shock and panic as her feet dangled above the floor. Her hands reached instinctively to Rebecca's arm, trying to pry it off, but it was useless.
Her voice came out in a strangled gasp.
"Cecilia…" she choked.
Cecilia took a slow step forward, her face unreadable.
At that moment, seeing Cecilia standing there, doing absolutely nothing—no panic, no urgency—Valentina's heart broke a little. The fear gripping her throat wasn't just from Rebecca's hand; it was the cold realization that she was completely alone in this room.
She couldn't even scream.
Her mind kept spinning in disbelief. How could Cecilia… Raymond's mother… just stand there? Was this not the woman who smiled at her like a caring elder just moments ago?
The pressure on her neck was unbearable, but the shock numbed the pain. She kept staring at Rebecca's face—so young, so flawless—yet her strength was monstrous. It didn't make sense. No human could do this.
