Chapter 25

Late at night, the villa lay in absolute silence. Caleb gently pushed open the door to Winona's bedroom. She appeared to be asleep, her breathing steady, though faint traces of tears still lingered at the corners of her eyes. He sat down beside the bed, and in the pale wash of moonlight streaming through the window, he gazed at her sleeping face with a desperate hunger. His fingertips quivered as he gently brushed her gaunt cheek. His voice, low and fractured with a nasal edge, carried the weight of both confession and plea. "Winnie… I know I was wrong. "I really do… I know I was wrong. "That time on the balcony… I was a bastard—worse than that. "And the photos… I regret it so much, it's tearing me apart. "I was terrified on the snowy mountain. I thought you'd truly leave me. "I can't live without you. Without you, I'll lose my mind. I swear I will. "I'm begging you… Just look at me. Give me one more chance. Just one." A drop of scalding warmth slipped from his reddened eyes