Chapter 5

The sudden intrusion made Winona gasp in pain. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she cursed, "You bastard! Let me go! Someone will show up any second!" Caleb seemed to have lost all reason. His grip on her waist was vice-like, every thrust deep and heavy. His voice was hoarse as he growled, "Don't move. I'll make it up to you for our interrupted session back then." Winona could barely breathe from his thrusts. Pain tore through her body, and her chest felt so tight that it was as if all the air had been stolen from her; it felt like Caleb was branding his anguish into her bones and her heart through this violent intrusion. Just then, the handle of the balcony's glass door twisted from the outside. A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a narrow gap. Under the dim light, Miranda's face appeared pale with shock. She gazed at the entangled couple on the balcony, her eyes locking on Winona, whose clothes were disheveled beneath Caleb. Covering her mouth, Miranda's eyes reddened with devastation before she turned and fled the scene. However, Caleb didn't stop. He merely stared in the direction Miranda had gone, his gaze filled with pain, reluctance, and complicated emotions that Winona couldn't even begin to comprehend. Winona felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over her, drenching her from head to toe. She finally understood everything. After witnessing Miranda kiss another man, Caleb had completely lost control. Blinded by jealousy, he used Winona's body to lash out, hoping to hurt Miranda and make her feel the same burning envy that consumed him. Could this truly be Caleb—the man who was always calm, disciplined, and composed? What did he think Winona was? A tool to provoke his beloved? Someone to humiliate publicly just to vent his anger? Did he think she was a prostitute? Fury and humiliation washed over Winona. Summoning all her strength, she shoved him away and slapped him across the face. Caleb's head snapped to the side, a clear imprint of her fingers burning on his cheek. The slap seemed to jolt him back to reality. The madness in his eyes faded, replaced by bewildered emptiness. Winona's body trembled. Her legs were weak as she tugged her gown back into place, forcing her near-shattered frame upright. Staggering, she rushed out of the balcony. She left the ballroom behind and arrived at the entrance of the hotel. Just as she was about to hail a cab, a figure appeared before her. It was Miranda. Her earlier shock and sorrow had vanished, replaced by arrogance and hatred. "You must be Caleb's wife, Winona Nander, right? Let me introduce myself. I'm his first love, Miranda Granger." Winona's eyes burned red, her heart heavy with exhaustion and rage. She just wanted Miranda out of her way. "Get lost!" But Miranda only smiled. "There's no rush, Ms. Nander. Since this is our first meeting, I should give you a proper welcome gift." Before Winona could react, Miranda brought out a beer bottle from behind her and swung it at Winona's head. With a loud crash, pain exploded at her forehead. Warm blood blurred her vision, trickling down her face. Fire ripped through her skull, and her world went black as she collapsed onto the cold floor. Winona woke to a pounding, relentless headache. Struggling to open her eyes, she saw two figures standing at the ward's door. "Caleb, I didn't mean to. I had too much to drink. When I saw you both on the balcony, I was jealous and lost control…" "Jealous? Aren't you involved with another man? You were chatting happily with him at the party and even… kissed him." "It was all an act for you to see!" Miranda cried, clutching his sleeve. "I only wanted you to notice me. You married Winona, the famed beauty of your circle, with her perfect family and stunning looks. I was afraid you'd only see her and forget I even existed." Caleb fell silent. After a long pause, Winona heard him sigh helplessly. "No matter how great she is, she's not the same as you." His words cut into Winona's heart like a blunt knife, reopening her wound again and again. Not the same? Of course. She was nothing but an ornament he had been forced to marry, while Miranda was the love of his life. Naturally, they weren't the same.