But Pedro remained motionless. His face already marked by a violent redness a nascent bruise on his cheekbone, a split lip from which a warm, salty trickle of blood flowed he stood there, arms along his body, shoulders drawn in, like a man awaiting his punishment. He didn't even raise his hands to protect himself. He made no gesture to parry the blows, to dodge, to flee. He wanted it to hurt. He needed it to hurt. He wanted each impact to be a punishment, an expiation, a purification through suffering. He wanted the blood flowing from his lip to wash away the shame gnawing at his entrails.Javier continued. A fourth blow, striking the brow bone and opening a fine but deep gash. Blood now ran down his face, mingling with the sweat beading on his forehead. Sofia was still screaming, her voice shattering into a thousand pieces, her strength gradually abandoning her. She collapsed to her knees between the two men, hands still clenched on her father's T-shirt, her tearing sobs filling the
Last Updated : 2026-10-16 Read more