Chapter 19
Bidding limutienily for her, tattooing yourself for her, even Kaving me whipped ninety nine times when she received one.
Dominic’s brot contracted painfully, his embrace nightening “Ari, I will make it up in yo
Ariana refused to believe his promises
Those winds had already carved themselves into her very being–how could they possibly be undone]
She turned and entered her room, famly doing the dong behind her, only emerging when Dominic knocked in call her for dinner |
Opening the door, the posed in surprisr ||
Dominic wore an apron, sleeves rolled in his elbows reveating well–defined forearms. The dining table was set with several perfectly presented dishes, all her favorites
“You made these?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Yes,” he answered quietly. “I didn’t want anyone to disturhus.
Ariana
a laughed roldly. “Cooking skills you learned for Mist
Dominic’s fingers softened momentarily, pain flashing across his eyes. “Ari, can we not mention her anymore?”
the deliberately continued.]
Throughout dinner, the mercilessly needed him-
prefers sweet foods, doesn’t she? Did you often cook for her? []
When you climbed that cliff to
to get her flowers, did you consider you might dier
“Was she moved to tear
to tears when she saw her name tattooed on your chest? |
Each question was like a knife twisting in Dominic’s heart.]]
ergy to protest[]
His reactions evolved from initial pain to eventual silence, finally just mechanically listening without even the energy to
Ariana, however, found a vindictive satisfaction in his set
in his suffering
After dinner, the rose to return to her room, but Dominic suddenly called out to her.]
He handed her a whip
Ariana froze: “What?]]
“Ninety–nine lashes,” his voice was hoarse. “Tim returning what I owe you.
She stared at him, laughing bitterly: “You think this makes up for anything?“||
“ins pot about making amends,” he raised his eyes, revealing a darkness within “It’s a debt Iow
He pulled a document from his pocket and handed it to her. “Tve already written my will. Even if you whip me to death. North Shore won’t hold you responsible.
“All North Shore assets will go to you.
Ariana’s fingers trembled slightly before she laughed coldly: “You think I’m still that naive gut who can be manipulated with a few words:”
Domini held her gaze, his voice harely audible.
every word]
Before he finished speaking-
“CRACKI
The first lash struck his back with brutal force ||
it he deliberately remained sit
The sound of die schip cutting through als reverberated through the quiet mansion,
companied by the sickening note of tearing flesh and the spreading trent
raight, not even attempting to dodge ||
By the time the ninety ninth lab fell, his back waam hornedoplay
( flesh and blood, which had soaked through his shirt and was dripping in the flour in a
The Finally stundled slightly but forced himself to remain stan
, reaching sut in grap Astanat ha
Arsana coldly watched him: “What? Having fegreto? Want to hit back? ||
Pomisir shook his head, his fingers pently a waging her wrist m he asked weakly does your hand hurt?
Ariana froze.
she jerked her hand away,
snerting “Dominic Kerd, are you a masochist?“]||
He managed a weak smile, te ashen: Whatever makes you happy, you can call me anything ||
As Ariana bummed to leave, he called out to her again ||
One more thing
He al
Ie handed her a knife ||
Ariana Drowned: “What now?–||
Domanie raised his hand, tearing open his blood soaked shirt to reveal the tattoo on his chest-
-0
Laid Boarsely
ant to keep her name anymore? ||
Ariana laughed coldly: “What, don’t want to
Before the could finish—||
Dominic suddenly grabbed her hand and planged the knife tip directly into his chet|||
“SQUEICHT
Blood instantly poured out!||
Ariana’s propis contracted in slick as the instinctively tried to pull away, but he held her firmly
“Don’t move. He grined his teeth against the pu
pain, veins standing out on his forehead as he guided her hard to slowly carve out the piece of tattooed skin
Hlood flowed doen his chest, soaking his pants and staining her hand red ||
Ariana’s fingers temider, her breathing nearly stopping[]
Bat Dominic seemed immune to the pain. After removing the skin, he continued to guide her hand, carving
new letters into his chest-
[Anil ||
When the final cut was made, he could barely stand, yet lie still managed to look at her
Ar as soft as a h.“1 love you.“]
With those words, he collapsed completely falling heavily to the Boar
Blood pooded beneath him, spreading like a crimson flower in bloom]
mile buzzing at the corner of has mouth.||
Ariana stood motionless, the knife clattering from her hand to the floor
She stared at the blood everywhere, suddenly realizing-
The cruelest revenge winnt hatred, but his willingness to carve out his own heart for her while she could no longer bring herself to trust again.]]
