Chapter 66: An Act to Gain Sympathy

“Go ahead, kneel and bow your head!” Raylee scoffed, certain he would never submit easily. Samuel’s emotions flared.

“Dad, have you lost your mind?” he exclaimed. “You expect me to kneel and apologize to her? Who does she think she is?”

“Will you kneel?” Alaric demanded furiously.

“No!” Samuel asserted. “Over my dead body!”

“Good,” Alaric declared. “Raylee, I will ensure justice for you. Now, take this whip and give him a sound thrashing!”

Alaric produced a whip from his bag and handed it to Raylee. She froze. The whip evoked painful childhood memories; it was Alaric’s tool for disciplining Samuel. She hadn't seen it since childhood.

“Beat him to your heart’s content,” Alaric said, devoid of sympathy. “Don’t hold back!”

Harriet attempted to intervene, but Alaric’s stern look silenced her. Tears welled in her eyes. Anyone would recognize this as a ploy for sympathy.

Raylee smirked sarcastically. “Look at my state! I’ll trouble you, Mr. Alaric. Hit him hard; show no mercy!”

“Raylee, you dare incite Dad to hit me? Do you think he’ll listen?” Samuel said confidently.

“Shut your mouth, brat!” Alaric lashed out.

“Dad, you’re actually going to hit me?” Samuel exclaimed in disbelief.

The whip struck him with force. He gritted his teeth against the pain.

“I hit you, and I don’t regret it,” Alaric said. “You sent Raylee to a mental institution where she suffered abuse. I should have done more than hit you. You owe her an apology!”

Alaric struck again, harder this time. Samuel’s face contorted in pain. Waverly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him.

“Dad,” she pleaded, “if you hit Samuel, you must hit me too!”

“Waverly, this isn’t about you!” Alaric roared. “Your brother caused this mess! He must face the consequences!”

“I’ll bear the consequences for my brother,” Waverly pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “Punish me instead! Please, spare him!”

“Back off, or I’ll whip you too!” Alaric roared.

“I’m not leaving! I need to protect Samuel!” Waverly clung to him.

Samuel’s heart ached. He gently removed Waverly’s hands. “Waverly, as a man, I can’t let you take the blame. Step aside; I don’t want you hurt.”

“I know you’re doing this for me,” he said. “Unlike some, whose sole intent is to destroy me!” He glared at Raylee. Waverly risked her life for him; Raylee had actively sought his harm. Such a woman wasn’t worth a strand of Waverly’s hair.

“You still don’t see your mistake? I ought to kill you, fool!” Alaric’s fury erupted at Samuel’s slight to Raylee. He lashed out with the whip again.

Waverly intercepted the blow. A scream escaped her lips as the whip struck her. “Ah!”

“Waverly!” Harriet rushed over, distressed.

Alaric stopped her. “Let me handle this; you’re too soft-hearted.” Harriet stepped back, unable to interfere.

Samuel was furious. “Dad, Waverly is your flesh and blood! She suffered, nearly died! How could you hit her?”

“Samuel, I’m fine,” Waverly said, smiling through her tears, her perfect teeth flashing. Her delicate demeanor ignited Samuel’s protective instincts.

He roared at Raylee, “Are you satisfied? Is causing discord in my family your greatest pleasure?”

“Samuel, stop,” Harriet sobbed. “Apologize to Raylee, and your father will calm down!”

“I won’t apologize! Kill me if you dare!” Samuel pulled Waverly into his arms.

Watching the siblings defend each other, and Alaric’s blatant sympathy-seeking, Raylee felt only annoyance. She looked calmly at Samuel.

“Exactly! If apologies worked, what need for the police?”