Chapter 5

Liam finally stopped the bodyguards when Winter's head was bleeding.

Regina hid behind him. She lifted her chin and smugly looked down at Winter, who was sprawled on the floor.

Liam pulled out a handkerchief with clear disgust and tossed it onto the floor. "This was just a warning. If this happens again, you won't get off so easily."

With that, he turned and focused on comforting Regina.

Winter clenched her teeth. Her long hair hung loose, hiding half of her face. She forced herself to stand. The moment she stepped out of the hospital room, her legs gave out, and she blacked out.

A blinding white light filled her vision.

Through it, she saw a blurry figure. As it slowly came into focus, her heart stopped. It was Richard.

Winter jolted awake and reached for him. He was only a step away, yet she couldn't catch him no matter how fast she ran.

She chased him until she was exhausted. Richard's figure drifted farther and farther away.

"Dad! Don't leave me!"

…

"Ma'am, wake up," a nurse said disapprovingly. "You're pregnant. If your emotions become too volatile, you'd be putting both yourself and the baby at risk."

Winter's ears rang. She grabbed the nurse's wrist. "I'm pregnant?"

The nurse handed her the ultrasound report. "You're seven weeks pregnant. You need to be careful."

Winter stroked her flat stomach. She couldn't believe she was carrying Liam's child now, of all times.

She threw herself onto the bed and pounded the mattress repeatedly. A low sob escaped her throat.

While Liam stayed at the hospital with Regina, Winter returned to the place she could barely call home anymore.

Their wedding photo still hung in the living room. The colors had dulled with age.

It was just like them. Whatever love they'd had had long since gone stale.

She dragged a ladder over, took it down with some struggle, and cut it apart with a pair of scissors.

In the corner of the walk-in closet sat a wooden box. Inside were seven years of memories. There was a handwritten relationship journal, photo albums, the candles from his confession, and her bridal bouquet.

The entire box was proof that he had once loved her, but it also showed that he no longer did now.

She started a basin fire and fed the items, piece by piece, into the flame.

The flames swiftly devoured each item. Tears fell as the thick smoke singed her eyes.

"Who's burning something in here?"

Liam pushed open the closet door. Irritation was sharp in his voice. "Are you trying to burn the house down? Is this some kind of threat? Are you trying to guilt me into giving your father another heart?"

Winter pressed a hand to her chest. Strangely, his cold words no longer hurt.

She chuckled softly. She no longer loved him.

Liam frowned. "What are you playing at now? Regina's in the hospital. Can you stop acting out for once?"

Winter brushed ash from her clothes.

"I wasn't doing anything. Just cleaning out some trash," she said lightly.

Her calm unsettled Liam for the first time. He softened his tone.

"I'm already in touch with the best institutions. I'm sure we'll find a suitable heart for him soon. Can you stop fighting me? Can't we just live properly again?"

Winter lowered her gaze as a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Is that so? That's good to hear. Too bad, I don't want to."

She moved past him, but he grabbed her wrist.

"What's going on in your head? Regina's in—"

"Am I really that vicious to you, Liam?" she said, cutting him off. "Relax. I won't hurt her. This was never her fault."

Liam sighed in relief. "There's a private dinner tonight. Come with me."

He expected Winter to ask why he wasn't bringing Regina, then refuse.

Instead, she said nothing. She casually began choosing a dress.

She applied a touch of makeup and selected a blue slip dress that contrasted beautifully with her skin.

"Let's go," she said, slipping her arm through his just like before.

In the car, Liam stared at her in a daze.

He had almost forgotten that Winter had once been Harbor City's most dazzling beauty.

The moment they entered the ballroom, strange looks followed Winter.

In a corner, several well-connected socialites whispered among themselves.

"Does she even know that the mistress is here, too? This should be interesting."

"I feel bad for her. She thought she married some perfect man, but turns out he's the same as the rest of them."

"That mistress is awfully bold. Someone must be backing her. How would a poor college girl even show up here otherwise?"

That was when Winter realized Regina had arrived before them.

"Winnie! Over here!"

Regina strode toward them in her white velvet gown and four-inch heels.

When she was a few feet away from them, she suddenly twisted her ankle.

Liam immediately let go of Winter and caught Regina.

A wave of gasps spread through the room.

With how blatant they were while Winter was there, one could only imagine how shameless they were in private.

Regina pouted. "Hey, Winnie's still here. This is embarrassing."

Liam's hand tightened around her waist as he leaned closer to her ear. "Enough with your games. Save it for tonight."

Winter clenched her fists. Her nails dug into her palms.

Regina snapped back to her senses and warmly hooked her arm through Winter's.

"Come on, Winnie. Let's grab something to eat."

Her posture made it seem as though Winter was the extra attendee tonight.

The instant Winter took a step forward, her shoulder strap broke.

In an instant, her chest was exposed.