Had Theo not been lazy and let them go on inspection first, his best friends wouldn’t have died. If it weren’t for him, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.
This thought had haunted Theo for nearly six years, torturing him endlessly. He didn’t want to be driven mad by it, so he shifted that pain onto someone else.
Out of selfishness, he wanted Gregory to share in his suffering, as he couldn’t take it anymore.
He knew full well that what he was doing was wrong, but he still did it anyway.
But Gregory kept softening toward Anathea, caught in a conflict. Theo couldn’t understand it at all.
He didn’t get why Gregory would go soft on her.
To Theo, Anathea was just a fragile, clingy woman. She was delicate but useless. Besides her pretty face, she had nothing to make Gregory fall for her.
It wasn’t until that time, when Anathea had drunk two glasses of wine with scorpions without hesitation to protect her colleague, that he was stunned by her courage.
He saw a different side of Anathea, and gradually, he found himself drawn to her. Beneath that delicate appearance was a strong and resilient heart.
She had always been kind, even if it cost her–that was exactly what pulled him in, and that was what made him understand why Gregory fell for her.
Who wouldn’t fall for someone so pure?
She was like the light in the tunnel, especially for those mired in darkness like Theo. People like him yearned even more for the
light.
Unfortunately, by the time he realized how special she was, it was already too late. He’d missed his chance to tell her how he felt. He was one step too late and would always be a step too late.
So now, all he could do was wish her peace and happiness from here on out.
Theo took a deep breath and lifted a hand to his face, feeling something wet. He was a little surprised and a little annoyed with himself. “Why am I such a crybaby?”
He wiped his face roughly, then turned to look at the private chapel Remembering Gregory’s resolve when he asked to be punished by the family rules, Theo turned and ran back.
The moment he stepped into the private chapel, he froze at the sight of the blood–soaked scene before him and
mouth in shock.
ed his
The sound of whips lashing flesh echoed through the chapel. Blood and torn skin flew everywhere, soaking Gregory’s entire shirt.
Gregory was gritting his teeth, not making a sound. He had his back straightened, showing no sign of begging them to stop. He stood tall and proud.
The final whip landed on his already mangled back. Gregory couldn’t hold on any longer. He staggered and fell to his knees. Catching himself with both hands, he breathed deeply.
Sweat rolled from his forehead and slid down his face, dripping onto the floor.
Gregory turned his head slightly toward Lennox, his pale lips twitching. “I’ve taken the punishment, Grandpa, can you let them go now?”
“Of course.” Lennox glanced at the bloody mess on Gregory’s back his expression flickering with guilt. He quickly called for a
doctor.
Only then did the tension in Gregory’s body finally ease, and he collapsed forward.
“Greg!” Theo rushed up and caught him, but Gregory was injured all over. There wasn’t even a good spot to hold onto.
Theo was furious and heartbroken, his voice choking. “You stubborn idiot!”
Gregory forced a small smile. “I’m fine; I’m not dying. What’s with the frown?”
Theo’s eyes stung again.
“This guy just knows how to make me cry!” he thought.
Lennox looked at the two of them and let out a slow breath. His face remained expressionless as he said, “I agreed to spare them. But if that woman insists on throwing her life away, I can’t stop her, can I?”
Theo froze. “What do you mean?”
Gregory’s brows furrowed tightly.
“You’re not the only ones who want Adam dead.‘
With that cryptic remark, Lennox turned and walked away with his cane.
Theo suddenly snapped to attention. “This is bad! Anathea went to pick Adam up from prison!”
