I curled my lips into a faint smile and didn’t answer his question, but only asked, “Where did you find him? Was I the one who kidnapped him?”
Kevin’s face stiffened.
“I didn't kidnap him, so am I indebted to him? I don't owe him anything, so why should I be beaten to exorcise evil spirits?” I asked sharply.
Before, even if I just scraped my hand, he would be so worried he’d almost wish he could feel the pain for me. However, now, he was willing to believe some baseless claim and beat me with a barbed whip?
Cora, who was standing by the side, spoke coldly with feigned concern, "Kevin, don’t make things hard for Kelly. This is my and Little Nate's fault. She's so precious, how dare we touch her?"
At first, Kevin felt a pang of guilt and guilt toward me, but upon hearing that it might harm Cora and their son, he snapped back. He kissed me on the cheek and said, "I'm sorry, Kelly. Just bear with it."
Before I could respond, a vicious whip knocked me to the ground. When its barbs tore into my flesh, I let out a blood-curdling scream.
After just twenty lashes, I was barely alive. The flesh on my body was shredded and blood was flowing freely from it.
Kevin was a bit hesitant, but just then, Cora suddenly squealed with delight, "Kevin! Nate is reacting! Nate's about to wake up!"
A spark lit up Kevin's eyes and he whipped me again while speaking urgently, "Kelly, hold on a bit longer. Once Nate recovers, you’ll be the biggest hero. I’ll make it up to you!”
As each whip fell on my body, it chipped away a bit of the love I had for Kevin. Then by the time the forty-nine lashes ended, my feelings for him were completely gone. The pain was so great that I passed out.
When I woke again, I was back in the hospital in the most luxurious private room and was swarmed by nurses. Anyone who didn’t know better would think it was a resort hotel, the kind of treatment I had never received when I was sick before.
Seeing me awake, Kevin lit up with surprise and joy. He gripped my hand and exclaimed, "Kelly, the doctor said you were in critical condition and might not wake up. I thought I’d never see you again! You’ve suffered so much.”
I furrowed my brows and pulled my hand away.
Kevin kept rambling in my ear, pouring out his guilt toward me. His voice annoyed me so much that I finally pulled the blanket over my head.
"Kelly, what kind of act is this?" Kevin snapped. I’ve already apologized, yet you’re still giving me this attitude. What do you want to do?”
He angrily pulled off the bracelet on my wrist and threatened, "I gifted you this back then to protect and keep you safe. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back.”
He stared hard at me, as if searching my face for regret or desperation but found nothing.
Once again, I was lost in my memories.
When I was in college, a terrible flu epidemic happened. Anyone who ran a fever was immediately isolated and unfortunately, I fell ill. At the time, Kevin disregarded his own safety and climbed over the wall to see me.
The first time he came, he saw how deathly pale I was, lying motionless on the hospital bed and this grown man actually fell to his knees beside me, sobbing his heart out.
He must have received countless warnings, but he didn’t care. He brought me meals and milk tea and even in the bitter cold of December, he climbed step by step on his knees up to a nearby temple to get me this bracelet.
I had worn it ever since. I had replaced new strings more times than I could count, but I always kept it on to this day.
Seeing me stay silent, Kevin was about to lose his temper again when the door swung open.
Cora peeked in, carrying a food container. Then she said, "Kevin, I came to check on Kelly."
Kevin nodded and turned to leave.
Cora pretended to bring out some risotto and acted as if she were feeding me.
When a bout of nausea rose in me, I instinctively turned my head away.
Suddenly, Cora released her grip of the risotto and the scalding risotto spilled all over me, making me yank my hands back. Unexpectedly, Cora shrieked and fell backward onto the ground!
