Chapter 4

After saying that, Winona didn't so much as glance at them as she dragged her wounded body away. Summoning the last of her strength, she drove herself to the hospital. After wounds were dressed, she remained there drowsily for a few days. On the day she was discharged, Caleb called. "There's a business party tonight. I need you to be my plus one." Winona was about to refuse when Caleb seemed to read her mind and cut her off. "You must come. I have something to tell you." Gripping her phone, Winona fell silent for a few seconds before flashing an icy smile. "Fine." She was curious to see what else he could say. The party was held in a five-star hotel ballroom, filled with the scent of fine perfume, stylishly dressed guests, and the clinking of glasses. Winona showed up in a floor-length, backless gown of striking sapphire blue, her makeup flawless. Her radiant, captivating look quickly drew admiring glances from many men. Winona, already used to the attention, ignored them all. Just then, a suit jacket carrying the scent of cedar was draped over her bare shoulders. Caleb had appeared by her side without her noticing. "I remember you loathe gowns and heels. What happened?" He paused, then continued, "I told you that you can be yourself with me. Even if you showed up in pajamas and slippers, no one would dare say anything." Winona's body froze. His words immediately transported her back to the teahouse where they first met, the man kneeling to help her slip into slippers. What once made her heart flutter now felt like the cruelest irony. She shrugged off the expensive suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor, and lifted her chin, a teasing, self-mocking smile playing on her lips. "Are you joking, Mr. Solt? Why would I hide my curves in pajamas? Look at those men openly admiring me. Consider it my good deed for the day." Another man might have simmered with jealousy after hearing his wife say that at a public event. But Caleb remained calm. He bent to retrieve his suit jacket, draping it over his arm. Then, glancing at her, he changed the subject. "You sent your father to my house to talk about divorce? Is this your way of acting out because we didn't have sex in the car that day?" Winona felt as if an ice pick had stabbed her heart, making her shiver in pain. She laughed coldly. "Acting out? Caleb, do you think the world revolves around you? Can't I want a divorce for real?" Caleb stared at her calmly, his dark gaze seemingly reading her mind. His voice was quiet but certain. "No. You're in love with me, so you won't want a divorce." Winona narrowed her eyes in shock, feeling as though her heart had been crushed. The pain sent her reeling. It turned out he had known all along that she was in love with him. For years, she had endured joy, sorrow, love, hatred, and struggle alone, refusing to give up. In the end, it was her own chaos—a one-woman show. As for Caleb, he simply watched her futile struggle from a distance, devoid of emotion. Overwhelmed by shame and heartache, she shivered violently. She dug her fingers hard into her palms just to keep herself composed. She was about to retort, "Just you wait!" when she noticed Caleb's gaze locked intently on a corner of the ballroom. Winona followed his gaze, and her heart sank again. It was Miranda, wearing a white gown and looking every bit like a princess, laughing and chatting with a gentleman in a casual suit. Caleb's gaze remained fixed on Miranda, and an unmistakable coldness radiated from him, sharp enough to be felt. For the rest of the party, Miranda remained steadfastly by that man's side. They danced, speaking in hushed voices. The man said something that made Miranda cover her mouth and giggle. She then suddenly stood on tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to the man's cheek. A sharp, sudden crack echoed through the air. Winona whirled around and saw that Caleb had completely crushed the champagne glass he was holding. Shards of glass sliced into his palm, blood mixing with the spilled champagne, yet he barely flinched, his eyes locked on Miranda. The intensity in his gaze was terrifying. Winona had never seen him consumed by such jealousy and rage. Caleb quickly discarded the shattered glass and grabbed Winona's wrist, dragging her out of the ballroom. "Caleb, what are you doing? Release me!" Winona staggered as he pulled her, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her wrist. Caleb ignored her and led her to an open-air balcony connected to the ballroom, his expression frighteningly dark. "Caleb, are you nuts? What do you want?" Shoved against the cold railing, Winona bristled in shock and anger. Caleb said nothing. His gaze was feral, completely bloodshot. He seemed like a completely different person. With a swift, brutal movement, he flipped the hem of her gown and yanked her flimsy underwear down, then barged into her without warning or a shred of foreplay.