Chapter 3

Caleb bent down, gripping my chin so tightly it hurt, forcing me to meet his icy gaze.

"Jocelyn, take those two disgusting, broke relatives of yours and get the hell out of this hospital. Now," he spat.

"Or don't blame me for forgetting we were ever married. I'll have security throw you out like trash."

In that moment, I finally got it. Nothing I ever said meant anything to him, not when Mandy could twist things with just a single word.

Even if someone's life was at stake.

My heart froze over.

But I couldn't give up. Mavis and Paul on the terrace couldn't hold out much longer.

The moment Caleb let go, I shot up and bolted for the terrace.

"If you won't go, I will. I'll save them myself!" I shouted.

Mandy shrieked the moment she saw what was happening, "Security, stop her right now. What if she goes crazy and attacks Mr. Lancaster?"

Several security guards swarmed in, clamping down hard on my arms.

"Let me go! That's Caleb's parents out there. If something happens to them, can any of you live with it?" I screamed.

I fought desperately, my nails digging into the guards' arms, but their hold on me was unbreakable.

Outside on the terrace, snow had already blanketed Mavis and Paul.

Mavis's face was ashen and bluish. She was barely breathing, on the verge of fainting.

Paul was barely holding on, gripping his broken cane with trembling hands. His gaze was fixed on Caleb inside, burning with disappointment and fury.

"Caleb, open your damn eyes. Can't you see who's out there?" I shouted.

I was screaming hysterically, my throat already torn and ragged.

But Caleb didn't even glance at the terrace. He was completely absorbed in gently wiping away Mandy's tears with a tissue.

When he heard me screaming, he turned around, visibly irritated, and waved the guards over.

"Stuff her mouth. She's such a nuisance," he barked.

The guards snatched up a rag and shoved it roughly into my mouth.

My cries were muffled.

I couldn't make a sound. Only tears of hopelessness streamed down my face.

Mandy nestled proudly in Caleb's arms, flashing me a triumphant, mocking glance before cooing in her syrupy voice.

"Mr. Lancaster, it's so cold with the door open. I can't bear to see you freeze. Why don't we close the terrace door?"

Caleb nodded, then took off his own coat and gently draped it over Mandy's shoulders, his tone tender and doting.

"You really are so thoughtful," he murmured.

In that instant, it felt like I'd been struck by lightning.

He was really going to shut the door.

He was cutting off their only hope, dooming Mavis and Paul for good.

One of the guards walked over to the terrace door and, without a second thought, pulled the heavy glass shut and locked it.

With a sharp click, the lock snapped into place.

In that instant, it felt like my whole world had just come crashing down.

Through the glass, I saw Paul. Just as the door closed and locked behind him, it was like the last bit of strength drained from his body. He slumped down in the snow, utterly spent.

Those eyes that once dominated boardrooms, now empty and hopeless, finally shut for good.

I struggled wildly, banging my head against the floor with a dull thud.

Caleb, that was your father out there.

How could you shut your own father out in the storm, letting him freeze to death?

Mandy glanced out the window at the two unmoving figures, her eyes gleaming with delight. She turned to Caleb and said, "Mr. Lancaster, those two old geezers aren't moving anymore. Did they really freeze to death?"

Caleb didn't even bother to look up, his voice cold.

"Let them die, whatever. They're just a couple of worthless nobodies. If they freeze out there, that's on them. I don't want their mess dirtying up my place."

As he spoke, he brushed off his pants where I'd grabbed him, like I'd contaminated him with something nasty.

"I've seen this kind of scam a million times. Even if they really croak, just settle the matter with some money."

He talked about Paul and Mavis like they were nothing more than a pair of stray dogs freezing to death outside.

I closed my eyes, hopelessness washing over me.

What kind of devil had I been in love with these past three years?

After what felt like forever, Mandy probably figured she'd had enough fun, or maybe she was worried things might actually get out of hand. After all, there were other people in the hospital watching.

She looped her arm through Caleb's, her voice sweet and syrupy.

"Mr. Lancaster, I kind of feel bad for Jocelyn. She's been losing it here for so long, and it's honestly a bit much. Maybe we should just let her take those two old folks away. Leaving them out there like that is just bad vibes."

Caleb frowned, as if he'd only now remembered there were people still out there on the terrace.

He gave me a look, then waved at the guards to let go of me with a disgusted flick of his hand.

"Jocelyn, this is your last chance. Get them out of here, and don't let me see you again," he said.

The rag was yanked from my mouth, and I hurled myself toward the terrace door, stumbling and crawling in my desperation.