Yvonne's expression had shifted from feigned pity to pure rage, and now, finally, to raw terror.
Her hair was a tangled mess as she curled up on the floor. Tears, snot, and blood mingled on her face, a grotesque mask dominated by the stark red of her wounds.
Perhaps disturbed by the violent movements, the baby, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly woke up.
"Waaah! Waaah!"
The infant's cries pierced the tense silence, momentarily restoring a sliver of Julius's sanity.
Yvonne, however, seized it like a lifeline. She lifted her head, her pleading eyes darting between Julius and the baby. She wanted to scream, *Please, for the baby's sake, let me go!*
Julius slowly turned his head toward the crib. His gaze softened for a moment, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.
But it was only for a few seconds. He looked away, his eyes landing back on Yvonne, a derisive sneer twisting his lips.
"That's right, I almost forgot. You gave birth to a son."
His voice was deceptively gentle, but to Yvonne's ears, it sounded like the devil's whisper.
A horrifying thought struck her, but before she could react, Julius reached down and ripped the gag from her mouth. He knew it didn't matter. Even if she screamed her lungs out, no one outside would hear.
The moment she could speak, Yvonne's words came pouring out in a desperate torrent.
"Julius, I was wrong! I know you hate me. I deserve to die. I'll go to Janina and beg for forgiveness, just please, let me go, okay?"

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