Heavy rain poured down as the Finch mansion was lit up like a lighthouse on a stormy night. "Is this woman so important to you?" George Wilson, Atticuss father, extinguished his cigarette with a fierce pinch, staring at his son who was kneeling in front of him, his eyes as cold as an unfathomable glacier.
Atticus Finch was kneeling upright, blood from his forehead streaming down to the corner of his eyes, causing a burning pain. He clenched his teeth to prevent himself from making a sound, his gaze unwavering as he looked at George Wilson.
Georges eyebrow arched as he said, "Hit him!" The man beside him raised his whip high and lashed down at Atticus with all his might. Whip after whip landed on Atticuss back, turning his flesh into a bloody mess. Yet, Atticus could only endure the pain, for he could not yield, nor could he agree to his fathers demands.
Even if it meant exchanging his status as the heir of the Finch family for Scarlett OHara alone, he would not trade.
"Either you go back and divorce that woman, or you die here today! Its your choice!" George Wilson lit another cigarette, his tone devoid of any warmth towards the battered man before him.
Atticus found the offer amusing. It was George Wilson who had ordered him to marry Scarlett OHara, and now it was George Wilson who was forcing him to divorce her.
Atticus spat out a mouthful of blood and climbed up from the ground, straightening his clothes with a casual laugh, "Then just kill me."
Kill him? He had guts.
This response was within George Wilsons expectations. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and held up the prenatal checkup report that was lying nearby, saying, "You should want them to be safe, right?"
"What do you mean?" Atticus jerked his head up and snatched the report.
The words "newborn" on it made him panic. Scarlett OHara was pregnant, and he didnt even know!
This should have been joyful news, but at this moment, it became his greatest threat!
He understood George Wilsons intentions; if he couldnt get to the adult, he would start with the unborn child.
Such methods were despicable!
"Im telling you to divorce and remarry Daisy Buchanan, is that so hard? Do you have to force me to be ruthless with my own grandson?" George Wilson flicked the ash from his cigarette, a hint of ruthlessness rising in his eyes.
Atticuss face darkened, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
He was well aware of George Wilsons methods. The OHara family was now in ruins; how could they protect Scarlett OHara and the child in her womb?
The clock in the hall struck, the heavy sound beating against his heart over and over.
He... he didnt have the power to compete with George Wilson now. If George Wilson really wanted to harm Scarlett OHara, he wouldnt be able to protect her!
His clenched fists turned pale, and the hatred in his deep black eyes was covered as he chose to compromise.
"You... give me some time, dont hurt them."
George Wilson smiled with satisfaction upon receiving the answer, throwing the prepared divorce agreement in front of Atticus Finch, "Good son, I want to see both your names on it by tomorrow night."
Atticus trembled as he picked up the two sheets of paper. Looking at the black and white text, he felt an intense pain in his heart, as if the whip wasnt lashing his back but his heart.
From birth until now, he had never felt such pain, so painful that even breathing was an agony.
He had promised Scarlett OHara that he would never let go of her hand in this life, that he would protect her for a lifetime, and devote all his love to her, but...
He could only choose... to let go.
Even the promise he made not long ago to accompany her to Hokkaido for Christmas, he now could no longer keep.
And the culprit behind all this was none other than his own father, George Wilson!
Atticus took a deep breath, picked up the coat that was thrown aside, and carefully cleaned the bloodstains on the back of his hands and face.
He couldnt, and he must not let Scarlett see anything wrong.
After cleaning up, he stood solemnly to one side, completely different from the previous disheveled appearance. He coldly looked at George Wilson, "Remember what you promised me." With that, he left.
After Atticus Finch left, George Wilson motioned, and the people around immediately leaned over.
"Think of a way to get rid of the child, and if possible, dont miss the adult either."
"... Yes."