James knew that it was his fault. He had done this. Just like now, step by step, he had driven Naoin into a dead end
It was time to end it all.
Chapter 22
At this monsent, Jocelyn had nowhere left to run. She hadn’t expected James to bring her to a place like this. They were in a completely isolated, dilapidated, abandoned village.
She was cornered in an area walled up on three sides, and the only nearby house had its door tightly locked.
The road leading here had been rough and deserted. The buildings looked ready for demolition, with crumbling walls everywhere. Thick dust choked the
But James seemed completely unfazed by the dust. He calmly watched Jocelyn cower in the comer, then effortlessly reached into a nearby crevice and pulled out a broomstick that was approximately three feet long.
He slowly approached her with the broomstick in hand, gazing at it with an oddly nostalgic look.
“This was the place where I first brought Naomi when she came to live with me. She stayed here for a day.
“She was like you–unable to handle the dust. She begged me to take her away, saying she was scared of the dogs here. So, I left with her.
“But now, I want to leave you here.”
As James spoke, he suddenly placed his thumb and index finger to his lips and let out a sharp whistle. In response, several starving dogs came padding
Their eyes locked onto Jocelyn like she was a piece of meat.
James! Are you insane? This… This isn’t what I think it is, right? You’re not really this cruel, are you?”
Terror gripped her as she tried to inch away, curling herself up tightly. She didn’t dare look at the dogs, her voice trembling uncontrollably.
“I’ve never claimed to be a good person.”
With that, James swung the broomstick–viciously and mercilessly–at Jocelyn.
Every strike drew a cry from her. He used the handle end, and with his strength, each blow landed with brutal force.
He didn’t hold back Blow after blow, he beat her without pause, many times targeting the same spot. Her legs quickly turned bruised and bloodied.
As a pampered heiress, Jocelyn’s delicate skin couldn’t withstand such a beating Within moments, she was reduced to a sobbing mess. She wailed, unable to contain herself.
Between gasps for breath, she cried out, “I was wrong! I was wrong! Please stop hitting me!
However, James didn’t stop. It wasn’t until she was completely drained of energy, unable even to speak, that he finally ceased.
Naomi had witnessed everything.
lp her over s
Naturally, she knew that James wasn’t a saint. After all, how else could he have obtained the power he had that day? How else could he whip times or burn the lives of so many from Jeanine Academy to ashes?
This was the foundation of James‘ rise to power. And yet, as Naomi watched Jocelyn, a trace of pity stirred in her heart.
But before she could dwell on it, James let out another whistle. The dogs lunged, and the sounds of teeth tearing into flesh and screams soon blended
Naomi couldn’t bear to look anymore.
James had gone mad. He tossed the broomstick aside. His eyes were vacant as he held one hand on the wall, staggering forward as if his legs were weighed down with lead.
Just moments ago, he had seemed so imposing, but now his face had gone ghostly pale.
Only then did Naomi notice that his hand had been badly burned. The skin on the back of his hand had peeled away, with blood streaming freely.
A red smear ran down the ash–covered all
50
“Uncle James, what if someone bullies me?
“Then you hit them back.”
“But I don’t know how to fight.”
Then bite them, just like a hunting dog. No matter what happens, you must never let yourself be wronged. Our darling Nae must never be wronged.”
Naonal looked at James, who was clearly weak and gasping for breath as he leaned against the wall, and remembered those words he had once said to her. She didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Baindrops began to fall, one by one, from the sky, striking the dusty ground with soft splashes.
James looked up, then unexpectedly smiled.
“Nee, I miss you
Meanwhile, Naomi’s floating spirit didn’t look back at him. At that moment, all she wanted was for it all to be over
Chapter 22
She didn’t want to remember anymore.
