Chapter 19
Bidding limitlessly for her, tattooing yourself for her, even having me whipped ninety–nine times when she received one lash…
Dominic’s heart contracted painfully, his embrace tightening: “Ari, I will make it up to you.”
Ariana refused to believe his promises.
Make amends?
Those wounds had already carved themselves into her very being–how could they possibly be undone?
She turned and entered her room, firmly closing the door behind her, only emerging when Dominic knocked to call her for dinner.
Opening the door, she paused in surprise-
Dominic wore an apron, sleeves rolled to his elbows revealing 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 disturb us.”
Ariana laughed coldly: “Cooking skills you learned for Mia?”
Dominic’s fingers stiffened momentarily, pain flashing across his eyes: “Ari, can we not mention her anymore?”
She deliberately continued.
Throughout dinner, she mercilessly needled him-
“Mia prefers sweet foods, doesn’t she? Did you often cook for her?”
“When you climbed that cliff to get her flowers, did you consider you might die?”
“Was she moved to tears when she saw her name tattooed on your chest?”
Each question was like a knife twisting in Dominic’s heart.
His reactions evolved from initial pain to eventual silence, finally just mechanically listening without even the
energy to protest.
Ariana, however, found a vindictive satisfaction in his suffering.
After dinner, she rose to return to her room, but Dominic suddenly called out to her.
“Ari.”
Chapter 19
He handed her a whip.
Ariana froze: “What?”
“Ninety–nine lashes,” his voice was hoarse. “I’m returning what I owe you”
She stared at him, laughing bitterly: “You think this makes up for anything?”
“It’s not about making amends,” he raised his eyes, revealing a darkness within. “It’s a debt I owe.”
He pulled a document from his pocket and handed it to her: “I’ve already written my will. Even if you whép 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 girl who can be manipulated with a few words?”
Dominic held her gaze, his voice barely audible: “I mean every word.”
Before he finished speaking-
“CRACK!”
The first lash struck his back with brutal force!
Dominic grunted in pain, his spine straightening, but he deliberately remained silent.
Ariana showed no mercy.
The second lash, the third lash…
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Chapter 19
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