In the Simmons family’s house, a haunting sound of whipping echoed through the walls, accompanied by Graham’s painful gasps.
The sharp and fierce sounds were terrifying, and Lucinda’s heart sank as she approached the door.
Peering inside, she saw Graham kneeling on the ground with his back to her.
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He was wearing only a white shirt, and blood stains nearly soaked it.
Despite running a fever, he remained determined, enduring the pain silently, with his back straight.
Lucinda couldn’t bear to watch any longer and carefully closed the door.
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Violeta, standing beside her, sighed heavily and explained in a low voice, “Ever since he came back from your house, he’s been acting strangely. Every night during dinner, he knelt on the ground and whipped himself twenty times. Then he started loudly chanting some Buddhist scripture and wouldn’t stop until he finished it. He repeats this torture every day.”
Lucinda listened silently, taking in Violeta’s words.
“Lucinda, it’s only been two days. He’s injured all over, but he won’t stop hurting himself. Can you please help me stop him, just this once?”
Violeta pleaded, holding Lucinda’s hand tightly.
Lucinda remained silent, torn by the heartbreaking sight she had witnessed.
Soon, the whipping ceased, and within a minute, Graham’s hoarse voice reading the scripture filled the air again.
It was evident that he was not putting on a show; this was a genuine and distressing ritual he was subjecting himself to.
Listening to his readings, Lucinda observed the care with which he read, pausing briefly at times to ease his pain, but never giving up.
Despite the agony he endured, his heart seemed remarkably calm.
Feeling Violeta’s hopeful gaze upon her, Lucinda finally spoke up, her expression remaining indifferent.
“Violeta, he’s atoning for Valerie’s crime. He tortures himself in the same way I am torturing Valerie now. He’s suffering for her, so that I can find it in my heart to forgive her,” Lucinda explained, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions.
Violeta was taken aback, not expecting Lucinda to view the situation this way.
“Lucinda, ever since the banquet, he hasn’t mentioned anything about Valerie. He’s atoning for what he has done to you,” she argued.
Lucinda fell into a thoughtful silence, still able to hear Graham’s weak and hoarse chanting from inside the room.
Despite her empathy, she knew he was inflicting this punishment upon himself for the pain he caused her.
Peeking through the slightly ajar door, Lucinda’s heart ached as she saw his badly wounded back, blood staining his shirt.
But the sympathy only lasted for a few seconds.
After contemplating for a while, she smiled coldly and said, “He should indeed atone for his sins. If he wants to punish himself, then let him be. He carries the burden of a guilty conscience, and he won’t be able to move on until he’s cleansed of his guilt.”