They gave me all 30 lashes without holding back. The first one struck, and I let out a muffled groan, my spine stiffening sharply. The second, third, and fourth brought the dull sound of flesh splitting.I still did not cry, beg for mercy, or even move.When the tenth lash fell, I suddenly remembered being eight years old, falling by the flowerbed. My knee scraped raw, blood beading up as I sobbed uncontrollably.Vincent's face had been aloof, yet he still crouched down, blowing on my wound while saying, "Don't cry, Elena. It'll be better soon. Don't shed tears so easily."When the 15th lash fell, I remembered being 13 years old, bullied by a group of girls. I stood frozen in the classroom, too scared to move, tears streaming down my face.Vincent had stepped forward and kicked the ringleader, the one laughing the hardest. He pulled me away and told me, "Protect yourself from now on. But I'll always be by your side. I'll protect you."By the 20th lash, I remembered the night Vinc
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