...I'm not sure why the artist decided to alter part of this scene, from how it was described in the novel.
In *the novel* ( https://flyonthewalls.blog/story/the-foul/vol-6-ch-4-2/), Taeha's possessive "kiss" is more of an uncontrolled, devouring *bite*!
Directly from the novel:
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"Without warning, he bit into my lip. His teeth tore at the soft flesh like he wanted to devour me whole.
“Direc—ngh!”
The metallic tang of blood filled my mouth as he worried the wound. Every time I tried to push him away, he punished me by ravaging my tongue and lips even harder. The pain would only stop if I submitted. Rage burned in me—I refused to be crushed under his strength.
I slapped him across the face.
The sharp sound echoed, the sting reverberating through my palm. I hit him again. And again. But my fury wasn’t spent. I would’ve kept going if he hadn’t caught my wrist. My lips and mouth throbbed so badly I could barely swallow, forced to cradle the injury with my hand.
My shoulders trembled.
“Are you out of your mind?!”
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(...In the elevator, the MC notes that the "cut" to his lip is "deep")
Yikes!
Taeha didn't hit Aeil because of the tattoo, he hit aeil because aeil mocked taeha for not being able to protect the MC despite the fact that he acts as MC's owner. It wasn't about the MC, it was about Taeha, which basically implies Taeha cares more about the impression he makes on others rather than the MC's own integrity and well being. Which is what makes the MC slap him, he knows taeha isn't doing it because of love or affection, he is doing it for power, possession and control.