Maja was ushered into an indoor training facility, where a man handed her a shield.
"Looks like your memory's been tampered with by the Holy Daughter. Her hypnotic skills are top-notch, even capable of scrambling a person's recollections. You've got strong reflexes and resilience, but you've lacked systematic training over the years."
Maja looked down at the object in her hands. Though she couldn't see it, she reached out to touch it.
"For the next month, while your eyesight's coming back, I'm going to train you with this whip to sharpen those reflexes. You're too vulnerable right now."
The word 'vulnerable' stung her pride.
Back in Greenfield, she had prayed over and over to be stronger, to not be so helpless and alone, not to have such an on-again, off-again relationship with Ian.
If only she had the strength to protect the ones she cared about.
Her thoughts jolted back to a moment with Ian, his words ringing in her ears.
"I'm just a man with limits, Maja. There are things I can't do, people I can't protect. I still have growing to do, and you have your own destiny to fulfill. If we're ever apart, live your life well until I can come for you, okay?"
A surge of determination filled her chest, but just then, the sound of the whip cut through the air.
Her arm took a vicious lash.
The man showed no mercy, and his tone was cold.
"If this were a battlefield and you spaced out at a critical moment, you'd be dead by now. Again!"
The second whip cracked through the air.
Maja was unprepared for this kind of training and struggled to adapt.
After ten lashes, she had managed to dodge only once. Her skin was already split and bleeding.
Sweat dripped down her forehead to her chin, her clothes soaked through.
Twenty lashes in, she lay on the ground, unable to move.
The man disdainfully dropped the whip.
"Too weak. Even if the Holy Daughter subconsciously trained you until you were thirteen, years without practice have made you rusty. You need to pick it back up."
Maja was in too much pain to utter a complete sentence.
The next second, she felt herself being hoisted up.
She wanted to ask where he was taking her, but she had no strength left to speak.
"Splash!"
She was tossed into a small pool.
Maja curled up in the water, each ounce of pain eclipsing any she'd experienced in her life.
She felt as if something was crushing her chest, making it hard to breathe.
All she could do was desperately think of Ian.
She had to endure, to get through this ordeal.
Her fists clenched, her gaze suddenly steely.
The man spoke again.
"Plus, this will condition your pain receptors to handle such agony. After this, even losing a finger won't seem so bad."
Maja said nothing, too drained to speak.
The man casually checked his watch. Ordinary folks could barely last ten minutes in such pain. She'd been silent for twice that.
His eyebrow raised, "Just ten more minutes and you can get out."
Maja had begun to adapt to the pain, trying to detach herself to make the time bearable.
She wanted to reminisce about her sweet moments with Ian, only to sadly realize their time together had been far too brief.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja)
Author, would you story about Ryan settling down and another story on Eric regaining his body and memories back from Patrick, and Eric also settling down as I find it so disheartening for him to have gone through what he went through at the research institute, and I'll like for him to get his "golden boy" life back though, not at the detriment of Ian....
When will the author update to finish Beck's story? What about Dylan and Tyler's love lives? Also, I'll like the author to write on Wilma and Elvis ending up together as she was quite persistent in pursuing him. And Shawn's story, Cornelia Sullivan and Omar Casson. Also, a little write-up on Jeff (Ian's assistant) love life, too. Thanks, author for updating....
When will get update?...
What is wrong that the author has not updated this novel in over a month or is there somewhere else that I can continue reading the novel from chapter 1951 upwards? Do tell, please. Thanks....
Is everything alright with writer?...
Author, why are there no updates after almost 2 weeks? What's going on with the updates,Author? Do update soon....
Will any update make for us?...
Is author ok...
Playing too much with my emotions. It’s been 9 days and no updates. What is going on with Fitch and Zoey?...
Is author playing with our emotions?...