Robert's face loomed inches from hers, twisted with pure hatred, his hands locked tight around her throat. Lorie's body jerked beneath him, her lungs screaming for air, her strength fading fast. The world around her blurred, colors bleeding together, sound muffled like she was sinking underwater.
She flailed helplessly, fingers clawing at his wrists, but he didn't budge. His grip only grew more brutal.
"You brought this on yourself," he snarled, his spit hot against her cheek. "Now I'll make sure you never ruin anything again."
Her limbs trembled, weakening, but her survival instinct kicked in hard. With what little strength she had left, Lorie stretched her arm out, searching blindly for something, anything she could use to save herself.
Her hand knocked into the side table, and a glass tipped, shattering against the floor. Cracking sound filled the air, splinters flying in every direction.
But Robert didn't even flinch.
