Altar 64_leaving you bereft

At 7:00 pm, Julian’s car arrived at the Ziegler residence.

 As soon as the car stopped, Dominic’s attendant stepped forward to open the door, smiling. He said, “Mr. Ziegler Senior is quite angry this time. Mr. Julian, you’d better tread carefully and not add fuel to the fire.”

 Julian got out of the car, shut the door behind him, and followed the man inside.

 Dominic was waiting for him in the study.

 The air in the study carried the scent of aged wood and incense, and the dim candlelight flickered. As soon as Julian stepped in, Dominic let out

 a cold sneer.

 “So, our great lover has finallye home. Should we line up and shower you with flowers in celebration?”

 Julian didn’t dare act out of turn. He lowered his head and stood still. “Grandpa.”

 Dominic sipped his tea, his aged yet sharp eyes sweeping the cane. I’ll discipline him tonight.”

 Ver his grandson. After a moment, he turned to the person beside him. “Bring me

 As soon as the words fell, Mnie’s cries echoed from outside.

 Annoyed, Dominic walked over and shut the door. When he turned back, his eyesnded on Julian. “Strip, Mr. Julian.”

 Julian’s Adam’s apple bobbed, but he still followed orders, taking off his coat and then his ck dress shirt.

 He said, “The shirt can’t get dirty. Willow bought it for me.”

 Dominic looked at his grandson’s well–built physique and scoffed. “Your wife bought it for you? Then, she really wasted her kindness on a worthless cheater. Good. Now, I can beat the hell out of you on her behalf.”

 A cane, about as thick as a thumb, was handed to him. It felt just right in his grip.

 Dominic didn’t hold back. He </bshed the cane across Julian’s back without mercy. Soon, angry red marks crisscrossed Julian’s skin. It was a gruesome view.

 As he struck, Dominic asked, “Who was in Grandsburg? What made you lose your damn mind over there?”

 Julian remained kneeling, silent.

 Dominic’s fury only deepened, and his blowsnded even harder.

 Outside the study, Mnie’s sharp voice rang out again, but Dominic ignored herpletely. He cursed her for having no sense of right and wrong and ordered her to leave at once. Otherwise, he would beat her son to death today.

 Dominic was old. After a while, he grew winded, gasping for breath. But his mouth still worked just fine.

 Pointing at Julian, he scolded, “Julian, no one gets to have it all. Do you think life is that easy? 

 “Back then, when it came down to love or power, you chose power. And now, between that person and Willow, you’re choosing that person again. Tell me, is that fair to Willow?

 “Hah! I know exactly what you’ll say that love is never fair, Then, let me ask you, have you slept with your wife? 

 “If you’re so in love with that person, how could you sleep with Willow? Be honest with yourself. When you sleep with your wife, do you really feel nothing? Not even the slightest flicker of emotion?”

 The crimson blood on Julian’s back seeped into the thick carpet, staining a small dark patch.

 Yet, he remained silent, unwavering.

 Dominic’s words struck a chord. He couldn’t help but think back to how he chose Willow back then.

 The golden autumn leaves, Willow in a flowing white dress–she was unyieldingly lively, like the toughest de of grass.

 That year, he had someone he loved deeply. He envied Willow’s liveliness. He thought, if only the woman he loved could be as full of life as Willow.

 But fate was cruel

 In the end, winning Willow’s heart had been far too easy.

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Altar 64