Jiang Yao was imprisoned in a dark, damp, airless cell, permeated by the stench of decay and despair. Cold iron chains bound her hands and feet tightly, restricting her movements. Every slight movement caused the chains to clash, a resounding sound that echoed through the silent cell, like the approaching footsteps of death.
Her eyes were hollow and lost, fixed on the mottled wall before her, her thoughts racing like a wild horse, darting wildly between past and present. Once, though her heart was consumed by the demon of jealousy, she had lived a seemingly glamorous life, surrounded by people and enjoying the glory of wealth and status. Now, all of this had shattered like a bubble, leaving only endless regret and fear.
Jiang Yao's heart was in turmoil. She kept asking herself, how had she come to this point? When had her desires become so twisted that she wouldn't hesitate to hurt innocent people? She thought back to when she first met Jiang Zhi. Back then, Jiang Zhi was just an ordinary, kind woman, but because of her almost insane possessiveness of Shen Qingchen, she had regarded Jiang Zhi as a thorn in her side. She was jealous of Jiang Zhi's love for Shen Qingchen, jealous of Jiang Zhi's happy family. This jealousy gradually took root in her heart, growing into a towering tree, obscuring all her conscience and kindness.
She regretted colluding with the mysterious organization, believing she could easily eliminate Jiang Zhi and achieve her goals with their help. Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhi proved to be so tenacious and intelligent, repeatedly escaping her traps and even rallying numerous allies to fight back. She knew she had committed an unforgivable crime, and the pain and despair of those she had harmed seemed like sharp blades, constantly piercing her heart.
Jiang Yao didn't know what Jiang Zhi would do to her, and this uncertainty filled her with fear and anxiety. She feared Jiang Zhi would kill her without hesitation, making her vanish from this cold world; or perhaps, he would torture her even more cruelly, leaving her in agony, unable to live or die. She tried to find some solace in her mind, recalling the beautiful moments of the past, but each memory was tainted by her crime, leaving only endless bitterness.
She thought of her family, wondering how they would react if they learned of her actions. Would they be ashamed of her? Would they spit on her? Jiang Yao knew that her actions had brought great shame upon her family, that she had become its sinner. This sense of guilt towards her family weighed on her chest like a heavy rock, making it difficult for her to breathe.
During this long period of captivity, Jiang Yao's spirit gradually crumbled. Sometimes she burst into wild laughter, filled with self-mockery and despair; sometimes she sobbed softly, tears soaking her grimy cheeks. Deep within, she struggled. On the one hand, she longed for Jiang Zhi's forgiveness, willing to pay any price to atone for her mistakes, even if there was only a slight chance. On the other hand, she knew clearly that her crimes were too serious and could not be forgiven no matter what.
Jiang Yao began to reflect on her life, realizing that she had been driven by jealousy and desire, losing what truly mattered. She had once believed that possessing Shen Qingchen's love, endless wealth, and status was the essence of happiness, but she had neglected her inner kindness, family, and friendship. Now, in this dark prison cell, she truly understood that the things she had so easily discarded were actually life's most precious treasures.
However, it was too late. Her life had been destroyed by her own hands, leaving behind only endless regret and fear for the future. Jiang Yao didn't know if she would ever have the chance to start over, or if she would ever have the chance to atone for her past mistakes. She could only face her inner struggle and torment alone in this small cell, awaiting fate's final judgment.
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