Chapter 69 A Grave Awakening

• The chill of the evening air crept into Evangelina's skin, waking her as she struggled to open her eyes. The taste of metal filled her mouth, a sticky residue that coated her tongue. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings, only to realize she couldn't move her arms or legs. A coarse material chafed against her wrists and ankles. Duct tape.
• Panic flooded her senses as she strained against her bindings, her body twisting in a desperate attempt to break free. Then, as her eyes adjusted, she saw him.
• Érico was crouched just a few feet away, his figure outlined by the faint glow of a lantern. He was digging—a steady, rhythmic motion as he scooped soil and tossed it aside, the sound muted but unmistakable. Evangelina's breath hitched as a dreadful realization dawned on her: that hole in the ground wasn't just a pit. It was her grave.