Chapter 4

Winona woke up in the hospital. Seeing that she was awake, Connor gently held her hand. His eyes were filled with regret when he said, "I'm sorry, Winnie. I shouldn't have gotten mad at you today. It's just that Sadie is my university classmate. I only sent her to the hospital because I was worried that her getting hurt would affect you. "I had no idea that Mr. Lowe would take advantage of my absence to punish you that way. Don't worry. I'll definitely seek justice for you regarding this matter." Winona felt as if she was being wrapped up in layers of ice as she looked into Connor's eyes that were brimming with regret and worry. She retracted her hand and closed her eyes, not willing to look at him. Connor assumed that she was still angry with him. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her temple and said, "Winnie, when you're feeling better, I'll—" Just then, his phone rang, interrupting him before he could finish his sentence. His friend's urgent voice echoed from the receiver. "Connor, I bumped into Sadie at the bar—" Connor shot to his feet before his friend finished speaking. His movement had been so sudden that he knocked into the chair that was behind him. "Keep an eye on her. I'm coming over right now." He seemed to have forgotten that he was acting out a role in front of Winona as he bolted out of the room. … That night, Connor's friend posted a video on his Instagram. When Winona tapped play, she saw Connor getting into a fight at the bar over Sadie. He then bent over and hauled her over his shoulder before leaving the establishment. Connor didn't show up at the hospital for the next two days. He only appeared again to pick Winona up when she was discharged. "I'm sorry, Winnie. I was busy dealing with some urgent business in the last two days. But I was worrying about you the entire time. You must have been bored out of your mind, huh? There's a party tonight. I'll bring you there so you can take your mind off things." When he reached out and tried to hug her, he revealed a large bruise hidden under his sleeve. It was an injury that he had sustained when he fought over Sadie during his fit of jealousy. Winona's chest tightened, and she dodged away from his touch. A hint of displeasure flickered in Connor's eyes, but he continued to coax her gently. He helped her pack up her belongings and personally helped her change her clothes. He then kneeled and changed her shoes for her. He was behaving as he always did whenever she fell sick. But Winona only felt a chill run down her back as she watched him fuss over her. A sorrowful sense of irony spread through her. … That night, she wore the dress that Connor had prepared for her and attended the party with him. It was only when they entered the banquet hall that she realized it was a welcoming party for Sadie. The hall was packed with Sadie's friends. An ominous feeling festered in Winona's heart. She turned around, wanting to leave, only for Connor to press his hands down on her shoulders. Sadie walked up to them. Wearing a knowing smile, she said, "We meet again, Winona." Winona pinned her with a cold stare. "Connor, I want to get out of here—" Connor's phone started ringing then. He glanced at it. His voice was laced with urgency when he explained, "Something urgent came up, Winnie. Go ahead and have fun. I'll pick you up later." He strode out of the hall once he finished speaking. Winona turned around and tried to leave as well, but she had been surrounded when she wasn't paying attention. The partygoers kept her trapped within their circle. They started pushing her around as they criticized her. "Aren't you Scott's sister? You have some nerve showing your face here." "Sadie tried to take her life so many times because of your brother. I can't believe how shameless you are to keep living as if nothing happened." "You should have died together with your scumbag brother and mother!" "Shut up!" Winona glared at the last person who spoke before delivering a powerful slap across their face. "How dare you hit me?" the person exclaimed before shoving Winona. "As expected, your entire family is rotten to the core. Not only did you not repent for what your brother did, but you even hurt Sadie with a vase. We're going to teach you a lesson you won't forget today!" The partygoers surged forward. Some of them yanked her hair while others slapped her face. There were even some who stepped on her and tore her clothes. Winona gritted her teeth and struggled wildly. But every time she managed to throw someone off her, somebody else would take their place and pin her underneath them. She saw Sadie standing at the back of the crowd, a smug smile tugging at her lips. When their eyes met, Sadie called out softly, "It's fine. What happened is already in the past. I'll be satisfied as long as Winona gives me a proper apology." "She's right. Apologize to her!" The partygoers forced Winona to her knees. "We'll treat it as you repenting for your brother's sins if you press your head to the floor in front of Sadie 99 times," one of Sadie's friends chimed in.