?<strong>Chapter 1337:</strong>


    Her world spun into darkness as she fought for breath, her nails digging crescent marks into his arms as she clung to consciousness.


    “And now?” His smile held arctic malice.


    “If it’s too much, beg. Perhaps I’ll show mercy.”


    Scarlette drew ragged breaths. Though her body trembled violently, torn between agony and resistance, her voice carried steel.


    “Is that all? I can barely feel a thing.”


    Kenji was left speechless.


    Scarlette’s stubbornness came back to haunt her. She spent the worst night of her eighteen years curled up in bed, each moment dragging painfully.


    Once Kenji finally calmed down, the reality of everything began to sink in. His gazended on the faint bloodstain on the sheets, and it hit him like a cold ssh of water. He had slept with Scarlette the same day their engagement fell apart—in a room above a bar. It was crazy,pletely unexpected.


    Kenji’s eyes shifted to Scarlette, whoy there like a ragdoll, her face buried in the pillow. Something dark flickered in his eyes as he reached out, brushing her damp hair aside.


    But as soon as his fingers touched her, Scarlette flinched, her whole body tensing.


    Kenji frowned, swallowing hard. Was she really that worn out? He had only gone through one round.


    Scarlette gripped the sheets tightly, shooting him a defiant re.


    “What? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me and want more. Think it through, Kenji. Getting obsessed with me is a bad idea, you jerk.”


    Kenji stared at her, speechless. Whatever softness he had felt vanished. Without warning, he scooped her up. Scarlette’s tired eyes snapped open, instantly wary. No way. He wouldn’t actually go for another round, would he? Please, no.


    Noticing her stiffening, Kenji gave her a t look.


    “Rx. I’m not interested in a second round. I’m taking you to the bath.”


    Scarlette narrowed her eyes, her whole body tense with defiance. No way was she going to let him take care of her. What a phony! “No…”


    she muttered under her breath.


    In just a few long strides, Kenji was in the bathroom. He nced down at her when he heard her weak protest.


    “Huh? Fine, do it yourself,” he said, pretending to set her down on the floor.


    Scarlette panicked, her lower body feeling useless, and instinctively clung to his arm.


    “No. I meant don’t use water that’s too hot,” she blurted out.


    Kenji let out a sharpugh, clearly just messing with her. The anger had faded, and what was done was done. There was no point in leaving her alone. Still, everything about tonight was a first for him.


    Gently, Kenji ced her in the bathtub and, doing his best to figure things out, began washing her the way he thought he should.


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