Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 116

*Smack! Smack! Smack!*

Three sharp blows from the ruler left Adrian's palm red and stinging, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. He dared not let them fall, knowing well that his great-grandfather, a retired high-ranking military officer, despised tears. "A man can bleed, but he must never cry," the old man always said.

Adrian knew that if he cried, the punishment would only worsen.

The old man, stern and unyielding, asked again, "What did you do wrong?"

Choking back his tears, Adrian's voice trembled as he replied, "I shouldn't have let Mom's relatives in. If they hadn't come, Mom wouldn't have been hurt. I promise it won't happen again."

Marshall, standing by with the ruler in hand, struck again. This time, Adrian received seven more blows, leaving his small hand swollen and red as a beet.

Finally, the tears he had fought so hard to contain began to fall, large and silent. He bit his lip to suppress any sound, fearful of letting his great-grandfather hear

him cry.

After a long pause, the sound of a cane striking the floor reverberated through the room, followed by the old man's voice, filled with disappointment.

manipulated, and it cost your family. Your father

his head,

said, "Stay here and reflect. Rise only when

...

Marshall entered the room.

shoulders of

implored softly, "it's snowing heavily outside. If the young

barked back, "What of it? Should he not be punished for his failures? He

only seven. In

man

the sole heir to the Montgomery family, age is no excuse. At his age, Lysander was already sitting in on family meetings. Yet here

spoiled. Let him stay

...

deepened, Adrian finally collapsed in the

had arranged for this, and as soon as Adrian fainted, he was brought inside. Both Western and