You Had Me, You Lost Me, You'll Never Find Me novel Chapter 133

"What, am I just a tool you created to secure a business alliance?"

This was the first time in his life Ashton had outright rebelled against Harrison, and his words were completely merciless and cutting.

Used to holding absolute authority, Harrison couldn't tolerate such disrespect, even from his own son. He lashed Ashton fiercely a few more times.

"You ungrateful bastard! Did I raise you just so you could talk back to me?"

The tip of the riding crop caught Ashton's cheek, leaving a thin trail of blood, but Ashton didn't flinch.

He let out a cold laugh. "Yeah, I'm a bastard. I deserve to die for not following your little marriage arrangement, right? Go ahead, beat me to death. Don't hold back. If you don't kill me today, you're no true Wyatt."

He was absolutely sick of pretending they were a perfect, loving family anyway.

Harrison was so infuriated he nearly stumbled backward. The hand gripping the crop trembled violently.

"You think you're so capable, don't you?"

"What are you so arrogant about? You just got lucky being born into a wealthy family that spoils you! Do you really think you built any of this yourself?"

"If I hadn't been out there fighting for our empire, do you think you'd have your glamorous life? You ungrateful piece of trash! If I beat you to death, you'd deserve it!"

Blinded by rage, Harrison swung the crop again and again.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

The blinding pain made Ashton's jaw clench tight, but he just kept sneering.

"Hit me. Did you skip lunch? Is that all the strength you've got?"

"You really are getting old and weak. I can barely feel it. Keep going."

Harrison held immense power; everyone beneath him always smiled and catered to his every whim. He had never been mocked like this in his life—especially not by his own son. He was practically gnashing his teeth in fury.

"You think I can't control you?"

Harrison struck him dozens of times until his own arm went numb.

The heavy leather whip had slight ridges on it, making every strike excruciating. By the tenth lash, Ashton was drenched in cold sweat, his back seeping blood through his shirt, yet he merely gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound.

The stubborn, rebellious streak innate to the Wyatt men flared up in him. The moment Harrison finally lowered the whip, Ashton's mouth started running again.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he headed for the door.

Reina called out to him, her face a mask of utter devastation and disappointment. "Ash, do you really hate me that much?"

Ashton stopped in his tracks and looked at her seriously.

"Some things just don't work, no matter how hard you try. It's not that I don't care about you, but it's not romantic love."

"I promised Rebecca I would take care of you, but not like that. Not by being with you."

"You can't force feelings. I'm sorry."

He didn't look away when he said it, and his expression remained entirely neutral.

It was as if he were simply stating an objective fact.

He did not love her.

He even used the words 'I'm sorry.'