Chapter 3

When I regained consciousness, I discovered I had truly been turned into a "vase"!

And before me was an auction hall.

I was trapped inside the vase mold, completely immobilized.

Every inch of skin, every bone in my body, screamed with unbearable pain.

In a daze, flashes of the operating table came back to me.

That devil Jake had personally broken my bones, forcibly molding my body into the shape he desired with clay.

Countless tiny needles repeatedly pierced my skin, carving out bizarre patterns.

I kept waking from the extreme torture only to pass out again, unable to bear it.

That feeling of wishing for death was so intense, I almost forgot I was still alive.

The more my body hurt, the deeper my hatred for Sophia and Jake grew.

But I was utterly helpless, like a fish on a chopping board, at their mercy.

The crowd stared at me intently as the auctioneer spoke passionately.

"Ladies and gentlemen, look at this human vase! It took exactly forty-nine days to create the crackle glaze effect!"

"Real human blood was used for the red glaze. The more pain the subject felt, the more beautiful the patterns became!"

Whispers spread through the audience. Apparently I had been sent to an auction.

"This is so artistic! I've never seen a vase made from a real person before. It would be quite a conversation piece!"

"New patterns are still forming - how fascinating! Truly a rare treasure!"

"This auction was well worth attending!"

I could feel my life force slowly draining away, barely clinging to existence.

Looking closer, I saw Sophia seated in the front row.

Her gaze paused on me briefly as it swept across the room.

She didn't recognize me, instead turning to complain to her assistant.

"Why hasn't Ryan made any contact recently?"

Jake immediately reassured her, his voice low but just loud enough for me to hear.

"Sophia, Ryan is probably focusing on his training. Don't be angry with him. Maybe he's planning a surprise for you."

Sophia scoffed after hearing this. "Speaking of vases, why is he so special? I prefer the one on stage."

I had no energy to argue. Let her think what she wants.

I was already at their mercy.

The crowd below had gone into a frenzy, emotions running high as they bid astronomical sums to acquire me.

My gaze met Sophia's again.

From not far away, she seemed to finally recognize me. A look of disbelief flashed in her eyes.

"This vase... why does it look like... Ryan? What's he doing here?"

"Putting a person... inside a vase? Is that safe?"

She stood up, perhaps wanting a closer look, but Jake grabbed her arm.

"Sophia, don't worry. This must be Ryan's way of pursuing an artistic effect - he made himself into a vase shape."

"Besides, isn't he more special this way?"

"He can't go anywhere or cause any more trouble for you now."

Sophia nodded thoughtfully at his words and sat back down calmly.

Watching them chat intimately, the physical pain paled in comparison to the despair and hatred in my heart.

Sophia! Jake!

I truly hate you both so much!