Chapter 19 25 Touchers A single confession of love forced all her tears out of her . In that instant , Marlene felt like a clown whose nose had been ripped off , exposed and with nowhere to hide . " Yes , Kenyon , you knew I liked you , yet you sent me to Dewey , made me sleep with him just so you could get a contract signed . " " You knew perfectly well that I liked you , but when Dewey's daughter came to my door and hit me , you chose to let me suffer in silence and told me not to call the police . " " You knew I liked you , and yet to please Thelma , you whipped me ninety- nine times . " " Kenyon , have you forgotten all of this ? " With every word Marlene spoke , Kenyon's face grew a shade paler . Tears slid down silently , as if mourning all those years of foolish devotion and self - deception . " Kenyon , I admit I once loved you , once liked you , but love and affection have an expiration date . You trampled on my sincerity again and again , taking advantage of my feelings without restraint . From the moment you hurt me , you should have known - we can never go back . " Marlene wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and lifted her head with restraint . " Kenyon , the truth is , you never really liked me . You were just used to having me around . Don't confuse habit with affection . How could someone like you ever be sincere ? " 08 271 Chapter 19 298 Vouchers Only then did Kenyon realize that the cruelest thing in this world is when you offer your true heart to someone , only to find that she no longer believes in it . A door closed , mercilessly separating two worlds . Kenyon sat by the roadside , lost and broken , pondering Marlene's words . From childhood , Kenyon had been required to excel in everything . His life demanded perfection , not allowing a single mistake . So he grew up outstanding and sharp , but there was one thing he was never taught : how to love , how to treat someone with genuine sincerity . And by the time he realized his mistake and wanted to make amends , he found that it was already too late . At last , he collapsed by the roadside , burying his head in his knees , and wept in silence . Kenyon's announcement of breaking off the engagement with the Glyn family caused a huge stir , with the media abuzz with speculation . Some even dug up the incident of the fight at the wedding banquet , and many speculated that it was all because of Kenyon's secretary . When Lawrence heard about it , he was so furious he nearly fainted . He immediately had people bring Kenyon back by force . A specially made rattan cane lashed mercilessly across his back . " You really must be insane ! All for a woman ! How have I taught you all these years ?! " Kenyon remained silent , enduring everything on his own , refusing even to bend his back . " I was crazy before , listening to all your arrangements . " Hearing this , Lawrence struck even harder . " Was it wrong or not ?! " 31 44 % 08.28 Chapter 19 11 288 Wanchers Kenyon still gritted his teeth and stayed silent . " I was not wrong ! " Even after all the beatings , Kenyon never changed his answer . It was only when Lawrence grew tired that he finally stopped . He ordered his men to drag the nearly unconscious Kenyon into the room and locked the door . Inside the room , Kenyon lay on the floor , counting the lashes on his fingers . It was only nineteen lashes , and he already couldn't bear the pain . How much must it have hurt Marlene when he whipped her ninety - nine times back then ? Because of the pain , Kenyon's mind was almost delirious . He had no idea how long he had been in the room , nor how many days had passed . In a daze , he heard his mother's sobs . Sheila held Kenyon in her arms , crying like a child . " My good boy , you've suffered . Go and bow your head , admit your mistake to your father . " At this point , Kenyon was barely hanging on , gasping for breath as he looked at his mother . " Mom , do you love Dad ? " Sheila's tears kept falling , but she alone did not answer his question . " Child , that doesn't matter . Just go and admit your mistake to your father ... " " It matters , " Kenyon interrupted Sheila , forcing a smile . " It matters . It's very important . " " Mom , I don't want to live a life that's been arranged for me . " The moment he finished speaking , Kenyon completely lost consciousness . 67.75 %