Chapter 366

The angry red marks on Serena's skin looked like they'd been scrubbed raw.

Her entire arm was inflamed, the capillaries bursting beneath the surface from excessive friction.

"Dylan! Stop staring at me!" Serena's voice cracked as she tried to pull away from his grasp.

Nathan observed silently from the doorway, his dark eyes tracking every flinch of Serena's body.

"Serena, you're hurting yourself," Dylan said, his grip tightening around her wrist. "What happened in there? Your face is flushed too."

"Let me go!" She twisted violently, her sleeve catching on Dylan's watch.

When he finally released her, Serena immediately began rubbing the spot he'd touched with frantic, jerky motions.

Nathan stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Enough."

Serena froze mid-motion, her breathing ragged.

Dylan ran a hand through his hair. "This is worse than we thought. She's developed a full aversion to physical contact."

The sound of running water drew their attention. Serena had retreated to the bathroom again.

Nathan found her at the sink, scouring her forearm under scalding water. Her skin was turning an alarming shade of crimson.

"Serena." Nathan's voice cut through the steam-filled room.

She didn't look up. "It won't come off. I can still feel their hands—"

Nathan turned off the faucet with deliberate slowness. "You're clean."

Tears welled in Serena's bloodshot eyes as she stared at her reflection. The haunted look in them spoke volumes.

"Bed. Now." Nathan's command brooked no argument.

Serena nodded jerkily and shuffled toward the bedroom, her shoulders hunched defensively.

Dylan maintained a careful three-foot distance, his usual confident demeanor replaced with wary concern.

The psychological scars ran deeper than any of them had anticipated.