Chapter 7

On the way to the hospital, clarity returned to Liam's eyes.

He reached out and gently touched Regina's small face. "Wake up already, or Daddy might eat you up."

Regina pouted and sat up. "Hmph. I didn't even pass out. Are you disappointed?"

Liam chuckled and pinched her nose affectionately.

"You brat."

"Why did you let the police take her away? Aren't you afraid she'll really get mad at you?" she asked, covering her mouth.

Liam lowered his gaze. "Even if you weren't seriously hurt, she did push you. Winnie's too stubborn. Locking her up for a few days will take the edge off. Maybe then she'll stop being so sharp-tongued all the time."

Regina quietly let out a breath of relief. For a moment, she'd thought he'd seen through her scheme.

She nestled into his arms and whined, "I may not be hurt physically, but I'm traumatized. Feel my heartbeat…"

The driver discreetly raised the partition as the car filled with heat.

…

Winter sat blankly on the detention center floor. She prayed that Richard would be safe.

The officer who brought her in said Regina wasn't seriously injured. As long as Winter stayed there for 72 hours, she'd be released.

She had underestimated Regina.

It wasn't until late at night when she was jolted awake by fists and kicks that she truly understood how vicious Regina could be.

Regina had bribed the other women in the cell. "Teach her a hard lesson. Just don't kill her."

Winter bit down on her lip as the other inmates beat her up. She instinctively curled into the fetal position, protecting her stomach with everything she had.

They didn't stop.

A tall, heavyset inmate kicked her square in the abdomen. Winter let out a muffled cry as warmth spread beneath her.

When she was loaded into the ambulance, she was painfully aware of something slipping out of her body.

Tears slid down the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

…

Winter was unconscious for 12 hours. When she woke up, the nurse's first question was whether she wanted to call the police.

She had been tormented for three whole days. Bruises had bloomed across her body.

Regina was the apple of Liam's eye. Even if the truth came to light, would it change anything?

Maybe he would give Regina a few hollow words of reprimand.

Winter silently shook her head.

The only good news she got was a call from immigration. Everything had been approved. She could leave with Richard tomorrow.

Dragging her weakened body, she completed the discharge paperwork. When she pushed open the hospital room door, she saw Regina pacing back and forth inside.

"Why won't you just die already, old man? I've had people beat her to a pulp. She couldn't even fight back," she snapped. "She's just as useless as you."

Winter's lower abdomen still throbbed. Days of physical pain and emotional collapse crashed together in that instant.

She rushed toward Regina and slapped her. "Aren't you afraid of retribution, Regina?"

"I was just worried about you and your dad," Regina said, covering her cheek with a pitiful look.

A second later, Liam appeared in the doorway.

"How long are you planning to keep this up? Do you want another 72 hours in jail?"

His gaze fell on the bruises on her exposed skin. He frowned. "How did you get hurt?"

Panic flashed in Regina's eyes. She quickly grabbed his arm. "Ah! My chest hurts!"

Liam quickly steadied her. His face was tight with concern.

"I turn my back for one second, and you end up getting hurt like this," he said coldly. "Come here. I'll show you how to deal with people who hurt you."

He raised his hand. Two large men immediately entered the room and seized Winter by the arms.

Still holding Regina's hand, Liam swung his other hand across Winter's face. "See that? That's how you do it."

Regina hesitated. "I—I can't."

Without warning, Lian struck Winter again.

"Don't say that," he snapped, shoving Regina toward Winter. "Hit her. Keep going until she learns."

Regina blinked, then swung her arm without holding back.

Soon, the hospital room was filled with nothing but the relentless crack of her palm against Winter's skin.

No one knew how many times she had struck her. Regina's hand was swollen. She ran back to Liam and started stomping her foot. "My hand hurts."

Liam called for a nurse to bring an ice pack and pressed it against her hand himself.

Winter lay sprawled on the floor as she wiped blood from the corner of her mouth. When she looked up, the despair in her eyes made Liam pause.

"That's enough," he said.

As he turned to leave, Winter stopped him.

"My dad is being discharged. Admissions said you paid the bill. They need your signature before he can leave."

Liam scoffed. "He's getting discharged? Didn't you say he'd die without a heart transplant? You really don't know when to stop lying."

Winter struggled to her feet. Liam didn't even look at her as he signed his name at the bottom of the form.

"Don't push me again, Winter. If you do, I'll cut off your father's treatment for good."

He tossed the stack of papers into the air, then wrapped an arm around Regina and walked away.

Winter dropped to her knees and gathered the papers. When her fingers brushed against the words "Divorce Agreement", they trembled.

"The transfer paperwork is complete. We wish you good luck."

Winter pushed Richard's wheelchair onto the plane. Before boarding, she looked back at Harbor City one last time.

"Goodbye Liam and goodbye to the heart that I waited seven years for."