Part 2The Game of Atonement

I crawled forward, desperately trying to gather my mom's ashes.

Suddenly, Tom's dog rushed out and began licking at the ashes on the ground.

"Milo! That’s filthy, don't eat that!"

Tom scooped the dog up into his arms, then brutally stomped his boots down, grinding my mom's ashes deep into the mud.

I dug at the dirt like a madman. Even when my hands became bloody, I didn't stop. My tears just kept falling uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry..."

Suddenly, a violent yank at my scalp tore me away. Aria dragged me by my hair and threw me onto the living room floor.

"Don't think playing the victim is going to get you out of today's punishment.

"Tom, do it."

…

Tom let out a cold scoff and hid behind Aria. "Oh, I wouldn't dare. What if Mr. Walker holds a grudge against me and puts rats in my room again?"

Aria’s eyes softened with pure tenderness. She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Tom, you are far too kind."

However, the moment she turned her gaze back to me, her expression instantly iced over.

"Since Tom is too soft-hearted to do it, the rest of you will."

She pointed at the several house servants standing in the living room and ordered, "All of you, come slap him. Keep going until he has taken ninety-nine slaps."

The servants looked at each other in hesitation, none of them daring to step forward.

With a loud smack, Aria used every ounce of her strength to deliver a fierce slap to my face.

My cheek ballooned with swelling immediately, her manicured nails leaving deep scratches across my skin.

"Slap him just like that. If anyone hasn’t moved within three seconds, you can pack your bags and get the hell out of the Carters."

Fearing they wouldn’t hit hard enough to satisfy Aria, the servants instantly rushed forward, scrambling over one another to take their turn.

By the time the ninety-nine slaps finally ended, I coughed up a mouthful of blood. I looked up at Aria, my eyes burning with pure hatred.

"Aria, you will regret this."

A flash of pity flickered through her eyes for a split second. She crouched down, her hand brushing against my swollen cheek.

"Conrad, don't feel wronged. You committed a crime, and you have to atone for it."

Suddenly, I burst out laughing. I laughed like a lunatic, even as tears streamed down my face.

How laughable that it took me until this very moment to realize that everything had been one massive, naked deception!

"Atone?!"

I pointed my finger right at her, screaming at the top of my lungs. "The ones who actually sinned and need to atone are you! Aria, I will never forgive you as long as I live! I hate you!"

Guilt washed over Aria's eyes. She averted her gaze, not daring to look at me.

Right then, Tom cradled his hand, tears welling up in his eyes. "Aria, my finger... I think a rat bit it. It hurts so bad."

Heartbroken, Aria immediately took his finger to her mouth to soothe it. "It's okay, Tom, it won't hurt anymore. I’m going to avenge you right now."

When she looked back at me, her eyes were filled with nothing but disgust. She turned to the servants and commanded, "Throw him into the cage."

My eyes went completely hollow as I stared at her, letting them drag me away.

Inside the iron cage, a swarm of rats huddled in the darkness, their eyes glowing green as they squeaked and chattered.

Terror consumed my entire body. I struggled with everything I had left to break free, but they locked the cage shut.

The next second, the swarm of rats descended upon me, biting and tearing at my skin.

The agonizing pain of my flesh being ripped apart made me howl in screams.

Peering through the only narrow gap in the cage, I could see Tom pressing himself over Aria with heavy breathing.

"Tom, come on..."

"No, it'll hurt the baby."

"Then let me help you..."

I didn't know how long I was kept in that cage. Gradually, I began to suffocate, and my consciousness started to fade.

Finally, the cage door clicked open, and I was dragged out onto the floor like a dead dog.

A pair of high heels stepped right up to my legs.

Looking down at my body, which was now riddled with bloody holes, Tom flashed a smug smile.

"Aria, look at Mr. Walker now. He looks absolutely pathetic!"