Chapter 6
Tristan led his family out of the room, but Benjamin stayed put, refusing to leave.
Tristan let out a sigh, gazing at Calista for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Calista, I can let the past go. But every time you mess with Beatrice and Lucas, I see right through it. If you still care about me, apologize to them. Then maybe we can have a fresh start," he said.
Tristan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forced down the wave of disgust rising inside him.
"Calista, I hope you'll stop pulling those dirty moves in front of me. I'm not as clueless as you think I am!" he snapped.
As Tristan was about to leave, Calista called out, her voice rough with emotion.
"Wait," she said.
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" Calista snapped.
"I'm giving your ring back," Calista whispered.
Tristan jerked his hand back and turned around, suddenly finding a ring in his palm.
It was a ring they'd made together, by hand. Tristan had once promised her that when they got married, he'd slip the prettiest diamond ring she'd ever seen onto her finger.
Tristan stared down at the ring, a bitter smile twisting his lips as he spoke coldly.
"Calista, save your tricks. Until you apologize to them, don't waste your energy trying to change my mind," he said.
Now, only Benjamin was left standing by the window, with Calista beside him in the hospital room.
"Enjoyed the show? If you're done, then get out of here!" Calista snapped.
Benjamin leaned in close, his arms braced on the bed as he moved toward Calista.
"He doesn't appreciate you the way I do. Calista, whatever you want, I can give it to you, right now. All you have to do is come back to me..." he murmured.
"Keep dreaming!" Calista shot back.
Benjamin's eyes darkened, a cold, predatory look flashing as Calista shot him down again without a hint of hesitation.
He was just about to snap when his assistant coughed quietly outside the door, a subtle warning.
Benjamin snorted, then grabbed Calista's head and tousled her hair with a possessive roughness.
"Don't worry, we've got plenty of time..." Benjamin murmured.
Up in the rooftop suite, Beatrice watched as Benjamin hurried in, giving him a proud smirk.
"So? Did you get what you wanted?" she asked.
Beatrice sipped her coffee with effortless poise, completely ignoring the look of disgust Benjamin shot her way.
"Don't take it too far. We're just working together to reclaim what's ours. No need to push anyone over the edge," Benjamin said.
Benjamin gave Beatrice a cold stare, but she simply set her cup down and offered him a calm, knowing smile.
"Getting soft now? I warned you to be ready for anything. Tristan's tied to the Calloway family for good. So, your sweetheart still hasn't given up hope?" Beatrice said.
"You promised me. Just keep them apart! Now that you've got what you wanted, let it go. I don't want you hurting her anymore. I can't bear to watch her walk out of my life again!" Benjamin said.
Beatrice nodded, and, satisfied with her response, Benjamin left the suite.
Beatrice watched him leave out of the corner of her eye, a smirk playing at her lips.
'Men are all arrogant idiots, can't even tell love from captivity. When it comes to running away, it's either never or endless,' Beatrice thought to herself.
*****
Calista stayed locked away in her room, not setting foot outside.
Since she kept refusing to apologize, Tristan told the entire crew on the cruise to stop serving her altogether.
She'd be gone soon anyway, so Calista didn't give a damn about anything happening around her.
Her leg throbbed with pain. Every time her foot hit the floor, it felt like her wound was being ripped open all over again. With no wheelchair in sight, she could only brace herself against the wall and inch her way toward the dining room, every step a fresh torture.
The humid sea air made her injury heal at a snail's pace, and all Calista could think about was getting her hands on something to fight the pain or infection from the infirmary.
But every time she showed up, they kicked her out without a second thought.
With no other choice, Calista slowly dragged herself back toward her room, her mind racing for anyone who might help. But before she could even call out for help, someone shoved her hard from behind. She lost her balance and went tumbling down the stairs.
Her phone slipped out of her pocket, and her forehead was gashed by the steps, blood streaming down her face. The pain was so intense her vision blurred.
She reached for her phone, desperate to call for help, but her trembling fingers accidentally dialed Tristan instead.
When the call connected, she thought she'd reached the cruise ship's service center. Huddled in the corner, she fought through the pain.
"I just fell down the stairs on the fourth floor. Can someone come get me? I think my arm's hurt," she managed to say, her voice trembling.
On the other end, there was a long pause, then the faint sounds of Tristan and Lucas laughing together drifted through the line.
"Ms. Wolfe? Tristan's still mad. Don't bother trying to get on his good side with excuses... I'll let you know when he's ready to talk," someone said.
"Hang up. Until she apologizes, don't waste your time on her! You don't have to keep putting yourself out for her!" Tristan snapped.
"She really does sound hurt..." someone said.
Tristan coldly hung up, not even giving Calista a chance to say a single word.
Calista huddled in the corner, shutting her eyes in sorrow.
She knew all too well that, to Tristan, everything she did would just look like another ploy for his attention.