DEPARTURE 29
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.”
He handed her a whip.
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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 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 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…
The sound of the whip cutting through air reverberated through the quiet mansion, accompanied by the sickening noise of tearing flesh and the spreading scent of blood.
Dominic remained standing, back straight, not even attempting to dodge.
By the time the ninety–ninth lash fell, his back was a mass of torn flesh and blood, which had soaked through his shirt and was dripping onto the floor in a horrific display.
He finally stumbled slightly but forced himself to remain standing, reaching out to grasp Ariana’s hand.
Ariana coldly watched him: “What? Having regrets? Want to hit back?”
Dominic shook his head, his fingers gently massaging her wrist as he asked weakly: “…Does your hand hurt?”
Ariana froze.
She jerked her hand away, sneering: “Dominic Reed, are you a masochist?”
He managed a weak smile, face ashen: “Whatever makes you happy, you can call me anything.”
His tenderness was unbearable to witness.
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As Ariana turned to leave, he called out to her again.
“One more thing.”
He handed her a knife.
Ariana frowned: “What now?”
Dominic raised his hand, tearing open his blood–soaked shirt to reveal the tattoo on his chest-
【Mia】
“Cut it out,” he said hoarsely.
Ariana laughed coldly: “What, don’t want to keep her name anymore?”
Before she could finish-
Dominic suddenly grabbed her hand and plunged the knife tip directly into his chest!
“SQUELCH!”
Blood instantly poured out!
Ariana’s pupils contracted in shock as she instinctively tried to pull away, but he held her firmly.
“Don’t move…” He gritted his teeth against the pain, veins standing out on his forehead as he guided her hand to slowly carve out the piece of tattooed skin.
Blood flowed down his chest, soaking his pants and staining her hand red.
Ariana’s fingers trembled, her breathing nearly stopping.
But Dominic seemed immune to the pain. After removing the skin, he continued to guide her hand, carving new letters into his
chest-
【Ari】 .
When the final cut was made, he could barely stand, yet he still managed to look at her with a smile tugging at the corner of
his mouth.
“Ari…” His voice was as soft as a sigh. “I love you.”
With those words, he collapsed completely, falling heavily to the floor.
Blood pooled beneath him, spreading like a crimson flower in bloom.
Ariana stood motionless, the knife clattering from her hand to the floor.
She stared at the blood everywhere, suddenly realizing-
The cruelest revenge wasn’t hatred, but his willingness to carve out his own heart for her while she could no longer… bring
Cleared for Departure: So Is My Love
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Chapter 19
herself to trust again.
♡ (1)
