Chapter 19

Countless lashes criss-crossed on Theodore's body. Some of the flesh was exposed, and even seemed a little brown. Blood gushed out. It looked horrible. Theodore didn't give a damn. He took her hand and used it to trace the wounds. Gently, he whispered, "Gemma, it doesn't hurt at all, but you must've been in so much pain back then, right? I'm sorry, it was all my fault. I've done too many bad things in this life, so the heavens decided to punish me by making me lose you forever. I'm sorry. "I'm sure you've had enough of me recounting my mistakes. I just wanted to end by telling you that I loved you from the start. I'd just been too dumb. I didn't even realize." Theodore looked at the ground with sadness and loneliness glimmering in his eyes. After a long stretch of silence, he took Gemma's hand, pressed a knife into it, and held it to his chest. When the blade pierced through the skin, he smiled like it was a form of release. Then, he said slowly, "All you owe me is water und