Hitting Asher

Zina POV

The muffled voices started as a faint hum beyond the door. At first, it was the shuffle of feet, followed by a low exchange of words. But then, Xaden's voice sharpened, slicing through the muted tones like a blade. Asher's reply came softer, hesitant.

I strained to listen, my heart already tightening with unease. The tension was palpable even through the barrier between us. And then it happened. The slap—a sharp, resounding crack that echoed through the thin walls, stealing the air from my lungs.

I froze, the sound rattling through me. My hand instinctively went to the doorknob, gripping it so tightly my knuckles ached. My mind screamed at me to move, but it was as though my body had been glued in place. A single second stretched into an eternity before my instincts roared to life.

Without a second thought, I lunged for the door, throwing it open with all the force I could muster.