She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 183

Valery's scream jolted Herbert awake. He opened his eyes, his breathing heavy and ragged. His head clearly still throbbed as he furrowed his brows deeply.

Seeing his mother standing frozen like a gargoyle in his doorway, he stared in confusion before asking in a hoarse, irritated voice, "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Valery's face was stormy. She pointed a trembling finger at the spot next to him. "You're asking me? Take a look at yourself!"

Startled, Herbert instinctively lifted the edge of the duvet, only to realize he was completely naked. Worse, there were glaring scratch marks across his chest and arms. His expression instantly darkened.

He turned his head—and saw a pale-faced Sylvie pressed tightly against his side.

"What is going on?" His mind flatlined. In a panic, he scrambled backward.

The sudden, violent motion sent a jolt through the mattress.

The violent shaking startled Sylvie awake.

The second she saw Herbert in the bed with her, her eyes widened in sheer terror, and she shrieked, "Ah!" as she bolted upright.

In that split second, her bruised, battered skin was fully exposed to the harsh light of the room.

Herbert's eyes went wide with horror before he violently snapped his head away, his entire body going rigid.

Seeing his reaction, Sylvie finally realized she wasn't wearing anything. Looking down at her own ruined state, the blood drained from her face. She frantically yanked the duvet up, clutching it tight against her chest.

Her fragile frame began to violently tremble, and massive tears of sheer humiliation spilled down her cheeks.

Witnessing such an indecent display from her own son, Valery felt utterly sick to her stomach. "Put your clothes on and come out."

With that, she turned and left, making sure to pull the door shut behind her.

She reached for her clothes scattered on the floor, but every piece she picked up was shredded. Her garments had been violently ripped apart; not a single item was wearable.

Herbert sat there paralyzed, staring at the destroyed fabric.

Had he done that, too?

A suffocating wave of guilt and shame crashed over him. He had no idea how to even look at her.

"I..." he started, wanting to say something, but met with her pitiful, tear-stained face, the words died in his throat.

He felt like a monster.

Realizing she had nothing to wear, Sylvie finally broke down. Wrapping the blanket tightly around her shoulders, she burst into tears and fled the room.