Chapter 2

Josiah kicked Winona hard, sending her crashing to the ground with a startled cry.

Her hand landed in the shattered glass, and blood began to seep from the cuts.

Josiah took half a step toward her instinctively but then stopped himself, fists clenched tight at his sides.

Tears welled up in Winona's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Her voice was almost lost in the rain. "Josiah... I was framed back then."

Josiah cut her off flatly. "Whatever you did with other men has nothing to do with me."

In my previous life, Josiah had looked at Winona with the same disgust.

I'd genuinely believed he hated her with everything he had.

But now, I finally saw the truth. Beneath all that contempt, Josiah still cared about Winona. And it wasn't just concern. His heart was aching for her.

I scoffed internally.

In my previous life, I'd pitied Josiah for being betrayed by Winona. After all, she had once been someone he loved.

Trying to preserve some dignity for both of them, I let Winona go.

Only later did I realize that what I thought was kindness, she saw as condescending humiliation.

This time, I smiled faintly.

I brushed off Josiah's hand and stepped toward Winona.

But just as I neared her, Josiah yanked me back roughly, like I was something dangerous.

I slammed into the car's armrest, and he didn't even notice. When he finally did, he said stiffly, "A woman like her? She's capable of anything. I just didn't want you getting hurt."

Josiah flung Winona aside, his face twisted in anger. "Get out of my sight. You disgust me!"

But I knew deep down, Josiah couldn't stand seeing her kneel there like that. He hated seeing her humiliated and feared I might make it worse.

Even when he reached out to grab her, he was careful not to touch her injured hand.

Josiah claimed to hate Winona, but he still couldn't let her go.

Fine. This time, I'd help him get with her.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I forced a smile and helped Winona up. "Ms. Willis, your clothes are soaked and filthy. Why don't you come in and change?"

Everyone's eyes bounced between each other, stunned by my sudden kindness.

All of high society knew how much Josiah had once loved Winona.

What I did was no different than digging my own grave.

Josiah pressed his lips together, barely keeping it together. "Tessa, this is an important event. You're really going to bring her in and make everyone uncomfortable?"

Winona's gaze stuck to Josiah like glue.

The tension between them was thick. Something definitely wasn't right.

I smiled. "This is the mansion district. No way she's getting a taxi. Let her come in."

Josiah looked like he wanted to argue, but when he noticed the blood on Winona's hand, his expression flickered, and then he turned and walked inside without a word.

Winona changed and came back, walking slowly toward Josiah.

Her hands trembled as she held out a gift for him.

He slapped it out of her hands.

"Do you have no self-respect? You know I have a girlfriend, and you still throw yourself at me. Winona, where's your shame?" he thundered.

Winona flinched. Her eyes locked on the shattered gift, tears streaming down her face.

"I-I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," she said, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.

Someone nearby scoffed. "Back when Josiah hit rock bottom, you ditched him for someone else. Now you show up with this fake act? Please. You're not even good enough to shine Tessa's shoes."

Winona stood there, completely frozen.

Just as the crowd was egging Josiah on to propose, a loud crash erupted. Something heavy had fallen.

Josiah dove for Winona, pulling her into his arms to shield her.

I wasn't quick enough to dodge and ended up with a cut on my hand.

Everything fell silent.

All eyes turned to Josiah.

He opened his mouth to ask Winona if she was hurt but then he froze. He shoved her away and snapped, "What, you going to stand there and get me and Tessa killed?"

I looked at him, stunned by how ridiculous he was being. Hiding my injury, I said calmly, "Under the circumstances, I think it's best we call off the rest of the event."

I turned to Winona. "This place is pretty remote. Why don't you stay the night?"

Josiah frowned, giving me a look like I was overreacting. "Tessa, you're seriously canceling the proposal over something like this?"

I gave him a cold, mocking smile. "I'm just tired."

And with that, I went upstairs.

I had Winona stay in the room next to ours, while Josiah and I slept in separate bedrooms.

That night, I felt someone standing at my bedside. Josiah lingered there, watching me quietly for a long time. Then he whispered, "Tessa?"

I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. I didn't answer.

This was the time I loved him the most in my previous life, so my feelings for him hadn't faded completely.

Right now, it felt like my heart was tearing open.

But the pain passed just as quickly as it came.

Moments later, there was a knock at the door. Josiah opened it and stepped out.

The moment it opened, Winona threw herself into his arms. "Josiah," she whispered, trembling. "The thunder... it scares me."