Outcast Queen: Her Return from Hell novel Chapter 348

"How have you been lately, Yara? Does Anya still throw punches before she talks?"

"You know how Anya's temper is. If she doesn't like someone, her fists always speak louder than reason." Yara's tone was casual, but her eyes held a deeper meaning. "But she's probably been enjoying herself these past two days. After all... a newcomer just arrived in this hellhole. Perfect timing for her to stretch her legs."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding.

The 'newcomer' Yara mentioned was clearly Phoebe.

Given Anya's explosive temper and how fiercely protective she was of Phoenix, Phoebe was undoubtedly suffering immense physical torment.

A cold glint flashed in Phoenix's eyes. "Yara, make sure to remind Anya not to break her completely. Every extra day she stays alive is another day she pays for her sins."

"Don't worry, she knows her limits."

Yara nodded slightly, then reached out to affectionately ruffle Phoenix's hair, smoothly shifting the topic. "I heard you and the Sterling boy signed the marriage papers?"

Phoenix hesitated for a moment, looking slightly embarrassed. "Pierce and I just have a contract. With the Prescott family on the verge of total collapse, our agreement is practically over."

Yara sighed softly, shaking her head. "I've met that Sterling boy before. He's incredibly resilient and deeply calculating. To be honest, if you actually made it work with him, it wouldn't be a bad match."

"Yara, I don't have the energy for romance right now." Phoenix shrugged, her expression indifferent. "You know how it is. I used to crave family, and it nearly buried me alive."

"Since then, I learned a hard truth. The only way to control your own destiny is to make yourself untouchable. As for family or love... they'll only become liabilities, dulling the edge of my blade."

Yara stared at her intensely, a flash of heartache in her eyes.

She knew exactly how much suffering Phoenix had swallowed, and how much absolute despair she had endured to make it to where she was today.

The girl had essentially forged herself into a cold, merciless weapon just to carve her way out of the darkness.

"I understand your resolve, Phoenix. But we aren't made of stone. Sometimes, you need a shoulder to lean on to share the crushing weight of everything you carry." Yara spoke softly. "If you think Pierce is someone you can trust, you should consider giving him a chance."

Phoenix froze, her mind involuntarily flashing back to the moment Pierce had stepped in to save her, and how the man had leaned heavily against her when he was weak.

"Come on, Pierce doesn't need love. A man as powerful as him is destined to be a lone wolf."

Yara shook her head, choosing not to press the issue further. Even locked behind bars, nothing that happened in the outside world escaped her notice.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Yara wasn't imprisoned here; she was simply... in hiding.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify