Chapter 197: The Hollow One’s True Form

The shadows began to shift.

The creature's shape warped, stretched, twisted, until it was no longer just smoke and mist.

It was solid.

Real.

And it looked like her.

Bella's breath caught in her throat.

"No."

The Hollow One's lips curled into a mocking, twisted smile.

"Yes."

Dante's body went rigid beside her.

Because it wasn't just wearing her face.

It was wearing her past.

Her pain.

Her rage.

Every piece of darkness that had ever lived inside her—

It had taken shape.

It had become her.

"I was never gone, Bella."

The Hollow One took a slow, careful step forward, its golden eyes gleaming.

"I've always been inside you."

Bella's hands shook.

Because she had fought so hard—**so fucking hard—**to get rid of it.

To be better.

To be more.

But now?

Now she realized the truth.

"You never destroyed me."

The Hollow One tilted its head.

"You just buried me."

And now?

Now it was time to dig itself back out.