CHAPTER 45

The moment his eyes met Zane's, the fear in his chest tripled.

He dropped to his knees again, his hands clasped together, his voice shaking uncontrollably.

"Zane—please, I don't want to die! I swear, I'll never— I'll never—"

Zane's expression didn't change.

Raymond's breath came in short, sharp gasps. His heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Then—

Zane finally spoke.

"You survived today," he said, his voice low and calm—too calm.

Raymond froze.

"But in six days…"

Zane took a single step forward, his presence alone suffocating.

"I'm coming to kill you."

Raymond's lungs seized.

A wave of pure terror crashed through his body.

But before he could process it—before he could react—

Zane turned to leave.

Hearing that he could go, Raymond didn't even process the words Zane had just said.

He didn't want to.

He refused to.

All he knew was—

He was still breathing.