Chapter 45 Kneel Before Me
After Vania finished speaking, she gazed at Melanie with a half-smile, wanting to see what kind of reaction the latter would have next.
Melanie, on the other hand, stared at Vania incredulously.
She is so articulate that she can turn black into white with a few sentences!
If she can’t see my sincerity after all this, then what does she want? Should I keep slapping myself, or should I find another way to apologize?
But what other way do I have?
At this point, Melanie looked at Hanson innocently, hoping that he would give her some hints.
But there was nothing from the man. He didn’t even bother looking at her, so how could there be any hints?
Seeing Melanie was stuck in a conundrum, Vania said sarcastically, “Oh—by the way, I recalled there was one time when you indiscriminately came to my house at midnight, wanting me to kneel before you and apologize. Does it ring a bell?” Vania’s words seemed to hint to Melanie on how to apologize.
Hearing that, Melanie was thunderstruck. Although Hanson knew about this, he didn’t know the details. Please don’t go any further! she prayed.
On the other hand, Vania could see through Melanie. She gave the latter a teasing look and casually continued, “Well, this matter has given me an idea. Reciprocally, you should kneel and apologize to me. If you do so, I will accept your apology.”
It was easy for Vania to say that, yet the words seemed to carry a heavy weight for Melanie to bear.
This woman dares to ask me to kneel and apologize to her?
And publicly, at that? What about my image and reputation?
Melanie couldn’t accept Vania’s suggestion and glared at her as if she was looking at a wicked person. Immediately, Melanie burst into tears, expressing her innocence. “I always thought you were a righteous person, but I never expected you would go to this extent to pick on me. I have sincerely apologized to you, so why do you have to force me to a corner like this?!” she cried.
Vania chuckled coldly in response. “I learned this from you. I’m not a righteous person either, so it’s just an eye for an eye. What’s more, this is incomparable to your viciousness in ruining my reputation and leaving me to die in the mountains.”
Vania knew deep down that Melanie was not going to kneel before her and apologize. The latter came here today just for Hanson’s sake, and it was nothing but a show.
So, Vania emphasized indifferently, “You were the one who wanted to apologize, and I have never forced you to do so. The only choice you have here is to kneel and apologize. Otherwise, the best choice for you is to turn around and leave.”
That being said, how could Melanie turn around and leave? Hence, she humbly begged for mercy. “Vania, please accept my heartfelt apologies. I know you’re enraged and it was entirely my fault. I am truly sorry.”
After saying that, she squeezed her eyes closed and slapped herself again.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Melanie continued by slapping herself more than a dozen times. Every strike of hers was accompanied by a loud noise and before long, her cheek was reddened and swollen like a peach.
As she slapped herself, she kept on apologizing, ” I was wrong… I was wrong…”
During the whole process, Vania remained silent and simply glanced at the woman indifferently.
She did this to herself. I never asked her to do this.
On top of that, it was only a few slaps. Compared to the intimidation Vania had received and the family affection she had lost, this was nothing. These slaps were far from enough to relieve the rage in her heart.
Meanwhile, Melanie’s hand was already hurting from the slapping, but Vania showed no signs of relenting. At that moment, she had reached the breaking point.
Just then, an idea came to her mind. “Ah!” Melanie fell to the ground on her knees and she directed her body toward Hanson.
