Chapter 17
Eleanor scrambled up, trying to rush into the sea of flames.
But after only a few steps, Xander stopped her.
He held her firmly in place, cupping her face and forcing her to stare unblinkingly ahead.
Her dad struggled a few times before sinking into the sea, utterly hopeless, while her mom shrieked her name in agony amid the raging flames.
“Dad! Mom!”
Eleanor shrieked hysterically.
Xander did it on purpose–he wanted her to witness her parents‘ gruesome deaths firsthand, leaving her to watch helplessly, enduring endless torment and pain.
Suddenly, Eleanor thudded to her knees.
Terrified out of her wits, she began kowtowing while confessing: “I’m sorry, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have urged Kenneth to kidnap Caitlin, and I shouldn’t have framed her. Please spare them…”
Each kowtow landed louder than the last.
Only when her forehead skin broke and blood trickled down her face did Xander nod for them to put out the fire.
In the end, her father was gone.
)
Chapter 17
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Her mother was rescued midway, but seventy percent of her skin was burned.
Eleanor couldn’t take it and passed out.
When she woke again, she was already in the hospital.
The overwhelming antiseptic smell hit her, and the glare of the overhead lights made it hard to open her eyes.
“You’re awake?”
That familiar voice sent chills down her spine.
Eleanor squinted, turning her head to the side, only then noticing several doctors and nurses standing nearby.
And Xander, expressionless.
Was she… in an operating room?
The thought of what Xander might do next terrified her. Eleanor immediately sat up, slipped off the bed, and sank to her knees beside him, shaking her head with a sob. “Please don’t. I’m begging you.”
“Xander, I was wrong. Please, after all we’ve been through, spare me this. once?”
Eleanor pleaded, tears streaming down her upturned face.
Like an abandoned puppy begging for its owner’s mercy.
Xander gently stroked her cheek.
Though his gaze seemed softer, his eyes remained icy as he murmured, “Sweetheart, didn’t I say not a single one less? No bargaining.
Chapter 17
Eleanor’s heart sank instantly.
An icy chill crawled through her veins, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Then she burst into sudden, bitter laughter.
“Xander Johnson!!”
She bared her teeth, snarling, “What gives you the right to avenge Caitlin for me?”
“Don’t forget you craved my body first–night after night, helplessly addicted. Every hurt I caused her happened with your permission! How dare you wash your hands of this?”
“You chose lust over loyalty and betrayed Caitlin! If you truly loved her, why’d she vanish without a word? Because she saw you for who you really are!!”
“You’re a spineless coward, cheating on your wife while terrified she’ll find out, then dumping all the blame on me when the truth surfaces. How could I have been so blind to fall for a man like you?”
Eleanor was ready to go down fighting.
She knew perfectly well Xander wouldn’t let her off this time. Since that
was the case. sh.
might as well speak her mind. Better to make each other miserable than for her to suffer alone.
And Xander was indeed hit where it hurt..
He grabbed Eleanor’s chin in fury, the fire in his eyes threatening to devour her: “You’re just a plaything to me. You have no right to judge the years of love between Caitlin and me!”
“It’s your own greed, coveting Caitlin’s place. Did you really think
Chapter 17
sleeping with me a few times would get you there? Hah, wishful thinking. If you had known your place, I could have ensured you lived comfortably for the rest of your life. But you dared to hurt her, so don’t blame me for turning my back on you!”
With that, he flung her away.
Eleanor fell to the ground. Before she could process Xander’s words, she was forced onto the operating table.
Her earlier arrogance instantly deflated.
“No! Let me go!”
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