Tyler, despite his pain, forced himself to speak, his voice raw and desperate. "No... Mother, don't—" His body trembled violently, his face twisted in agony as he reached out toward Nathalie, his fingers clawing at the air as if he could pull her back from the edge.
Nathalie's breath caught in her throat. She turned her gaze from Tyler to Angela, her eyes filled with a mix of despair and resignation. "I..." Her voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. "I am willing."
The words hung in the air like a curse, heavy and suffocating. Tyler's face crumpled, his sobs turning into a broken wail. "Mom, no—please, no!" His voice was shattered, his body convulsing as if the words alone had struck him.
Angela's smile widened, triumphant and cruel. "Good choice," she purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "I knew you'd see reason." She straightened, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement as she gestured toward me. "Then let's not waste any more time."
