Ninety-Nine Punishments for His Love

Chapter 6

Julie's face gleamed with triumph. "Three years ago, I could frame you for forcing me to leave. Now I can take Arthur back from you. Claire, how can a woman who revolves around men compete with me? You should leave now before you get kicked out like a dog!"

Claire let out a cold laugh, stepping closer to Julie, her gaze sharp and unsettling. "Are you scared Arthur will find out you left him three years ago because you feared being a burden? Afraid he might find out the truth? That three years ago, you left because you didn't want to be burdened by a sick man? Afraid he might realize you don't know the first thing about medicine? Afraid that your 'volunteer work' was all lies? That you never even left Jivalis? Or should I tell him myself who saved him from the avalanche three years ago? And who secured the top surgeon for his operation?"

Julie froze, her face turning deathly pale as fear flashed in her eyes. She glanced at the door, sudden ruthlessness flashing in her gaze. "So what if you know? Who do you think he'll believe? You? Or me?"

The next second, Julie overturned the bowl. The entire bowl of scalding soup splashed onto her hands, sending up plumes of steam.

She let out a loud, theatrical wail. "Claire, I know you're jealous he cares about me, but trying to destroy my hands?"

At that moment, Arthur, who had just arrived, rushed in. He roughly shoved Claire aside and pulled Julie into his arms. "Claire, have you lost your mind?"

Stumbling from the push, Claire crashed into the table corner, her waist instantly bruising. She lifted her head, glaring at Arthur. "I didn't do it. She burned herself! She's been lying to you. The one who saved you during the avalanche was actually..."

"Arthur, don't blame Claire. It's my fault. I shouldn't have returned, shouldn't have come back into your life!" Julie took the chance to burst into tears, collapsing into Arthur's arms and cutting off Claire.

Arthur cast a frigid glance at Claire. "Seems I've been too lenient with you."

With that, he scooped up Julie and hurried to the hospital.

Watching Arthur walk away with Julie without even looking back, Claire felt a dull ache pierce her heart.

She returned home alone, dejected. She had barely stepped inside, still shaken, when Arthur stormed in, eyes blazing with fury. "Claire, you have the nerve to come back."

She was emotionally drained. "I told you. I didn't scald Julie's hands. She did it herself and framed me!"

"Still lying? Do you know her hands are ruined? She'll never practice medicine again!" Arthur strode forward, flinging Claire onto the bed. "Claire, have I indulged you so much that you think you can do whatever you want?"

Pinning her down, he yanked off his tie and bound her wrists tightly.

Claire panicked, struggling frantically. "Arthur, have you lost your mind?"

Arthur tore off his clothes, pressing down on her, his usually icy eyes now burning crimson with mingled fury and desire. "Claire, since you want me so badly, I'll grant your wish!"

With that, Arthur ripped apart her clothes, crushing his lips against hers like a sudden storm, relentless in its assault.

"I'm insane. Insane for letting you get away with everything."

Without any foreplay, his bloodshot eyes flashed as he entered her violently—wild and merciless.

A sharp pain tore through her. She couldn't move, couldn't escape, could only endure.

She trembled violently, her body wracked with sobs. "Arthur, you can't do this to me. I'm the one who saved your life!"

"Please! Stop—"

He had lost all reason, his movements growing even more frenzied. His body burned with terrifying heat, his gaze feverish and deranged.

He buried himself deep. "Claire, this is your ninety-ninth punishment!"