Chapter 6

However, that thought was quickly dismissed by Callum.

'No way. There's no way any guy could get it up after drinking that much,' he decided.

He carefully replayed the events of the previous night. Only then did he remember—after they both got drunk, and since he refused to go home, they had checked into a hotel instead.

Haley hadn't wanted to go home either, so she ended up sharing the same bed with him.

Catching a glimpse of the barely visible curves beneath the blanket, Callum swallowed hard and quietly pulled the covers up to cover her.

He did think about doing what any normal guy would want to do.

But the moment he remembered the legal consequences, he immediately held himself back.

He wasn't a saint, but he wasn't a piece of trash either.

Just as he got up and started getting dressed to leave, a lazy voice came from behind him.

"You're up? How was last night?"

Callum's expression went stiff.

"Don't say it like that. You're making it sound like something happened. We just slept."

Haley smiled playfully. She deliberately tugged her camisole down a little, exposing her collarbone as she leaned back like some kind of seductive demon.

"If you didn't want it to be just sleep, that's fine too… With a body like yours, I wouldn't be able to resist anyway… As long as you take responsibility."

Callum quickly got dressed, forcing himself not to look at her.

If he kept looking, he really might lose control.

"I'm leaving. I've got things to do. Get some rest."

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his phone and left in a hurry.

If he stayed any longer, something truly out of line might happen. He was already dangerously close to the edge.

Right now, he had to go to Victoria's place.

Last night, he suddenly remembered something important he had left behind before moving out.

A bracelet.

It had been given to him by the grandparents who once took him in. They had said it was meant for their future granddaughter-in-law.

But now, he needed to take it back.

Everything else didn't matter—but that bracelet did. It was the most important thing his grandparents had left him.

…

Meanwhile, at Oramus Ave, Building 12, top-floor penthouse.

Victoria had spent almost the entire night taking care of Julian without getting any sleep.

When she got home, she stepped onto the white rose petals scattered across the floor. The entryway cabinet still had "Just Married" signs hanging on it.

The curtains were drawn, warm fairy lights twinkled around the living room, ivory satin draped over the chairs, and the faint scent of white lilies and vanilla lingered in the air—soft and intimate, carrying the atmosphere of a wedding night.

There was no doubt—all of this had been carefully arranged by Callum.

She just hadn't noticed the wedding knot wreath sitting in the trash can.

A faint sense of guilt rose in her chest.

Last night, she had been way too harsh with Callum. She would apologize to him properly later.

But Callum needed to apologize to Julian too.

Even if she had been in the wrong, he wasn't completely blameless either.

He had acted way too impulsively. If Julian had wanted to press charges, Callum could already be sitting in jail.

She walked further inside and saw the dining table.

A bottle of red wine, burnt-out candles, and the carefully prepared steak—now completely cold—sat silently on the table.

Her brows furrowed. Her guilt deepened.

A wedding night like this really wasn't right.

But Callum was just like a kid—easy to smooth things over with. Worst case, she could get angry first and flip the situation around. In the end, he'd still have to apologize to her.

He loved her so much. He wouldn't leave her.

With that thought, she forced what she believed was a gentle smile and pushed open the bedroom door.

"Baby, I'm home… time to get up…"

But the bed was empty.

She froze.

Callum wasn't home? He hadn't come back last night?

No way.

Callum had always followed her rule—he had to be home before midnight. He had never once stayed out all night.

She quickly reassured herself.

"He probably just went out to get breakfast… He loves me so much. There's no way he'd stay out overnight."

Just then, the sound of the door opening came from outside. Callum had returned.

But Victoria immediately noticed something was off—he was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday.

Her smile became forced.

"Baby, you're back. Last night was my fault. How about I buy you a car to make it up to you?"

Callum glanced around the unchanged apartment and knew instantly—she hadn't come home last night.

His chest tightened again.

So she really did spend their wedding night taking care of that so-called childhood friend.

Without a word, he ignored her and walked straight toward the bedroom.

"Didn't you shower last night?" Victoria said. "Or did you forget to change clothes? Go wash up first—"

Callum stopped.

He took a deep breath.

"I didn't come home last night."

Victoria froze.

Callum's voice turned colder.

"You already know that, and you're still pretending? Do you not know me at all, or do you just think I'm that easy to fool?"

Her expression went stiff.

He was right.

If he had come home, the steak wouldn't still be sitting on the table.

And the smell on his clothes…

Alcohol—and something faintly feminine.

It smelled familiar.

But she still refused to believe he would cheat on her.

She forced a smile.

"It's fine, baby. Going out for a drink once in a while is normal. As long as you calm down. But after you do, you have to apologize to Julian. You went way too far last night!"

Callum let out a cold laugh.

"I went too far? You spent the entire night with him, and you're telling me I went too far?"

Now she was getting annoyed.

"Watch your tone! If you hadn't hit him, would I have stayed at the hospital all night?"

Callum nodded slowly.

"Right. It's all my fault. Without me in the picture, last night would've been your wedding night with him instead."

"You—! I didn't even blame you for staying out all night!" Victoria snapped. "And you're blaming me? Callum, I've already given you more than enough leeway!

"If you keep this up, I'm really going to lose it! He's my childhood friend—I've known him since we were kids! Isn't it normal for us to hold hands?

"Are you really that petty? If there was ever anything between us, it would've happened a long time ago. Why would I have chosen you?

"I already apologized. Now you go apologize to him. You're the one who threw the first punch!"

Callum completely ignored her and walked into the bedroom, searching for the bracelet.

"Got it," he said flatly. "Childhood sweetheart. If I hadn't come along, your families probably would've arranged a marriage by now. I was the one who misread things. He's your family. I hit him, so I should apologize. Then if he sleeps with you, should he apologize to me too?"

As an orphan, Callum had once thought of Victoria as his only family.

But now, he had no one.

Victoria's face went completely dark.

"Callum! What the hell are you talking about? What are you doing in the bedroom? Why won't you just trust me? We didn't do anything wrong! Can't men and women be just friends?"

Without looking up, Callum replied casually as he searched through the drawers.

"Yeah. The purer the friendship, the uglier the people."

That line made her shake with rage.

Just as she was about to fire back, her WhatsApp pinged. It was a photo message from Haley.

In the photo, a shirtless man lay asleep in a bed. Haley was curled up in his arms, taking a selfie.

Only the man's jawline was visible, but Victoria recognized it instantly.

It was Callum.

Her mind went completely blank.

Her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a sharp crack.