Chapter 204

"No," Celine said firmly, pushing him away with all her strength. In the struggle, her hand accidentally hit his left one. "Ouch!" Adam groaned, a pained sound escaping his lips. Celine froze, startled. "What's wrong?" Adam looked at her. "Celine, my hand hurts." He lifted his injured left hand for her to see. Celine knew his hand had been seriously hurt, but she hadn't realized the full extent. 23 stitches had been required. Though the stitches had been removed, there was a deep scar on his palm, grotesque and worm-like. Only the two of them were in the hallway, dimly lit by the warm glow of overhead lights. They stood close enough to hear each other's heartbeat. Adam repeated while looking at Celine. "Celine, do you see it? My hand hurts." Celine was confused and exasperated. She couldn't understand why he, a man who had always carried himself with unyielding strength, was suddenly so fixated on claiming pain. She tilted her delicate face up to meet his gaze. "It's ugly,"