Chapter 6

Caleb gave a slight nod. "I understand," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Even though Yale was completely unharmed, Danielle insisted on putting him through a full medical checkup. She stayed right outside of the examination room the whole time.

Early the next morning, Caleb pulled himself together and prepared to leave.

Only then did Danielle hurry into his hospital room. A trace of guilt flickered across her face as she approached him, her tone laced with a forced sweetness.

"Caleb, I lost my head at yesterday's auction and acted without thinking. I never meant to trade you for Yale. Please don't take it to heart."

Caleb raised his eyes to meet hers, then smiled faintly.

"I understand," he replied, his voice so gentle that it was almost indifferent.

After all, he would soon be leaving for good. There was no point in arguing over who was right or wrong anymore.

Pretending to be generous, he even urged Danielle, "You should go back to Yale. He may seem carefree and tough on the outside, but he's actually quite sensitive. After such a scare, he's going to need your comfort."

His words hit her right where he knew they would.

"Well… Make sure you get some rest," Danielle said perfunctorily.

She didn't even bother asking the doctor about Caleb's condition. Before long, she turned and hurried away, with no intention of staying to keep him company.

Caleb watched her walk away without looking back. His heart had long since grown numb.

He threw back the covers, grabbed the suitcase he'd packed earlier, and headed for the door.

He had barely reached it when the doctor stopped him.

"Where are you going? Your injuries haven't healed yet. If you don't get proper treatment, you could end up with scars."

"It's fine," Caleb replied, smiling faintly. "Let them scar. At least they'll remind me of just how miserable these days have been."

Before the doctor could say another word, Caleb strode out of the hospital, hailed a cab, and headed straight for the airport.

During the ride, he pulled out his phone and sent one final message to Future Danielle.

"Thank you."

He was grateful to her for telling him the truth, helping him see things clearly, and giving him a chance to start over.

When he arrived at the airport, he switched off his phone and strode into the bustling terminal.

Adrian had been waiting for him quite some time.

Caleb handed him the divorce papers along with his phone. "Give these to Danielle. There are some things she deserves to know."

"Sure." Adrian accepted the items before adding softly, "Mr. Graham, everything has been arranged overseas. Someone is already waiting to receive you. It's Ms. Naomi Morgan."

"Naomi Morgan?" Caleb's brows lifted in surprise. "Why her?"

When his mother, Lydia Ford, was still alive, she had arranged a marriage alliance between him and the Morgan family.

Back then, Caleb had been completely devoted to Danielle. Despite his family's objections, he had broken off the engagement on his own and cut ties with the Morgans.

After all the twists and turns, fate had somehow brought him back to where it all began.

"The Morgans heard you were leaving the country and offered to arrange your arrival," Adrian explained.

Caleb's lips curved into a bitter smile.

He had once broken off his engagement for love, only to have his sincerity utterly trampled on in the end.

"Adrian, take good care of yourself," Caleb said. "The deed to the Graham residence is in the safe. Now that I'm leaving and Mom is gone, you can sell the place. Keep the proceeds for your retirement."

Having settled everything, Caleb turned and walked straight to the boarding gate.

Not long afterward, the plane taxied down the runway and soared into the sky.

Through the window, Caleb gazed down at the sprawling city below. The place that held so many regrets grew smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared from view.

From then on, Danielle's happiness and sorrow would have nothing to do with him.