Chapter 21: The Hollow Doll

Chapter 21: The Hollow Doll

Nothing.

I felt nothing.

The bruises didn't hurt anymore. My body didn't ache. My mind didn't scream. There was just silence, stretching endlessly inside me, swallowing everything I used to be.

I had lost.

I didn't care.

Unresponsive

The first morning after, they expected something from me.

Leo stood at the foot of the bed, his arms crossed, his icy-blue gaze cold as ever. "Get up," he ordered.

I didn't move.

His jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Sophia."

Nothing.

Leo stepped forward, gripping my wrist and yanking me up. My body swayed, my legs barely supporting my weight, but I made no effort to steady myself.

His grip on my arm tightened. "Enough of this."

I stared past him, blank, empty.

He let out a slow breath, his fingers twitching against my skin. "Fine." He released me abruptly, and I crumpled to the floor.

I didn't react.

Leo stepped back, watching me for a moment before turning away.

He left without another word.

Adrian's Frustration

The next time, it was Adrian.

I heard him before I saw him, the familiar sound of his footsteps, the lazy amusement in his voice. "Wow. You look awful, sweetheart."

I said nothing.

He crouched beside me, tilting his head as he studied my face. "Not even a glare?" His fingers brushed against my cheek, lightly tapping the bruises that still lingered. "Not even a flinch?"

Nothing.

Adrian exhaled, shaking his head. "This is boring."

His hand shot out, gripping my chin roughly, forcing my face up. "Look at me," he ordered.

I didn't.

His smirk faltered. "Come on, Sophia," he said softly, his voice edged with something darker. "Play along. Give me something."

I blinked.

Adrian's jaw tensed. He let go, standing abruptly. "Pathetic," he muttered before leaving.

Nico's Calculation

It was Nico who stayed the longest.

I didn't know how much time passed, only that when I looked up, he was sitting in the chair across the room, his emerald-green eyes locked onto mine.

He said nothing.

I said nothing.

The silence stretched, suffocating and endless.

Then, he stood.

He walked over, crouching in front of me. His fingers ghosted over my wrist, light, testing.

Still, I didn't move.

His head tilted slightly. "How long do you think this will last?" he asked softly.

I didn't answer.

Nico leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You think this is winning?"

Nothing.

His fingers curled around my throat, not squeezing—just there. A presence. A warning.

My pulse didn't change.

Nico's gaze darkened. His grip tightened slightly, but still, I remained still, my body limp under his touch.

He exhaled slowly, his fingers releasing me.

Then, he stood and left.

The Frustration Builds

They didn't know what to do with me.

I wasn't fighting. I wasn't resisting. I wasn't begging.

I was nothing.

And they hated it.