Chapter 6

Miranda seemed comforted by his words and began sobbing softly. "But I just hit Winona. You know how hot-tempered she is. She won't let this slide. What should I do?" "Don't worry. I'll handle this." With that, Caleb pushed the ward door, only to meet Winona's gaze head-on. He walked to her bed and said calmly, "Miranda got drunk last night and mistook you for someone harassing her. That was why she accidentally hurt you. It was just a misunderstanding. She's my junior, so for my sake, just let it slide." Hearing him twist the truth felt like thousands of needles piercing Winona's heart. "A misunderstanding? Caleb, do you think I'll believe that? Or do you think I'm stupid?" Caleb's brows furrowed slightly. Winona sneered. "If this isn't resolved, I'll call the police. The Solt family might be powerful, but my family—the Nanders—isn't that weak. I'll keep suing, and you can keep bailing her out. Let's see who runs out of patience first." Caleb closed his eyes, massaging his temples. "What do you want?" Winona glared at him, then pulled out her phone and made a call. Moments later, a bodyguard entered carrying a cooler filled with bottles of hard liquor. Pointing at the box of liquor, Winona fixed her gaze on Miranda. "Drink them all." Miranda paled. "I-I can't drink them." "You can't?" Winona raised a brow and snorted coldly. "If you can't drink, then why did you go on a drunk rampage last night? Or does your talent for mistaking identities depend on your condition? Should I find a few thugs to help you get in the right state?" Miranda's face turned ghastly with mortification. She clenched her jaw, picked up a bottle with trembling hands, and was about to uncork it when Caleb took it from her. Caleb met Winona's eyes, his expression unreadable. "I'll drink on behalf of her." "No, Caleb! You're allergic to alcohol!" Miranda cried, rushing to stop him. Yet, Caleb merely glanced at her calmly. "Be good and step aside." Winona watched as he downed bottle after bottle of liquor. Her heart burned as though seared by flames, the pain so tormenting that her body trembled uncontrollably. To keep herself composed, she gripped the bedsheet so tightly her nails nearly pierced her skin. Caleb's allergy flared almost immediately. Red rashes spread across his neck and cheeks, his breathing rapid and uneven. Yet he didn't stop until he finished the last drop. Slamming the bottle down, he swayed and had to brace himself against the wall. He quickly pulled out his allergy pills from his pocket and swallowed them dry. Despite his flushed face and labored breathing, he looked at Winona calmly. "Is this enough?" Just then, a nurse entered. "Ms. Nander, it's time for your brain CT scan." Winona fought down the pounding pain in her temples and the ache in her chest, stumbling slightly as she left the bed. Passing by Miranda, her hand darted out, snatching two discarded beer bottles. She brought them down in a swift, brutal arc against Miranda's head. A sickening pair of thuds was instantly followed by Miranda's shrill, tearing scream and the sound of splintering glass. "No!" Winona flung the broken necks away, her eyes cold as ice. "If you wrong me, I'll make sure you pay twice the price!" With that, she turned and followed the stunned nurse out of the ward. "Winona Nander!" Caleb's voice rang out behind her, shouting her full name in a rare show of composure. Chaos erupted as he rushed to Miranda, scooping her up and calling for a doctor. Winona didn't look back. During her examination, she overheard the nurses whispering amongst themselves in the corridor. "Oh, the young woman Mr. Solt brought in is badly injured!" "Mr. Solt is frantic—carrying her around the hospital, finding her blood type, summoning specialists…" "I've never seen him lose control like that. He's always so calm and composed. He must love her deeply." Lying on the cold examination table, Winona bit her lip hard, her eyes reddening. Her tears flowed unchecked, tracing paths down the sides of her face and disappearing into the strands of her hair. For the next few days, Winona remained in the hospital, recuperating alone. Caleb never visited—angry, perhaps, at her attack on Miranda. Winona wasn't bothered. Once her wound had healed slightly, she discharged herself. The moment she left the hospital, she called her best friend, Olivia Markham—wild and free-spirited—and headed straight to the most exclusive private club in town. Swaying her hips to the beat, Olivia leaned close and shouted over the music, "Winnie, are you seriously thinking about divorcing Caleb? You're so into him!" Winona took a sip of hard liquor, the fiery burn sliding down her throat. She grinned widely. "Tell me, what kind of person do you think I am?" Olivia thought for a moment. "Pretty, untamed, and free-spirited. You take things in stride." "Exactly." Winona's smile was bright but fragile. "I love him, but when it's time to let go, I will." Olivia gave her a long look. Winona arched her brow. "What are you staring at?" Olivia sighed. "Nothing. It's just that… It's a shame Caleb let you slip away. Once you walk away, you never look back. If he regrets it later, it won't be easy to win you back—even if he resorts to ending his own life." Winona gave a self-deprecating smile. "Ending his life for me? That will only happen when the world ends." She quickly perked up. "Enough of that. Get me some cute guys. I'm going to have fun tonight!" Olivia chuckled and nodded. Then, she called over a line of tall, handsome hosts, their bare chests showing off toned, sculpted muscles. Winona reached out, her fingers about to brush across one host's abs, when a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.