Chapter 2

"Grandpa, I've failed you," Ethan said.

"I can't go through with this marriage."

Thomas's forehead veins bulged with rage.

"Say that again!" Thomas demanded.

Another smack was heard.

Another whip crack rang out.

Ethan let out a muffled groan, then spoke up, his voice even clearer.

"I said, I don't agree.

"I'll never marry Winona. Never, not in this life."

He said my name in a voice as cold as ice.

Every word was thick with disgust and contempt.

It was like I was something dirty to him.

I stood outside the door, hearing every word he said.

It was like an invisible hand had grabbed my heart and shattered it.

It didn't even hurt.

I just felt numb.

So he really did hate me.

He hated me so much that he'd rather be beaten to death than have anything to do with me.

Every whisper around me felt like a jab, piercing right through my ears.

"Oh my gosh, who is Ethan putting himself through all this for?"

"Who else but that first love of his, the one who just got back from overseas."

"Poor Miss Sanders, to have this happen at her own engagement party."

Yeah.

I was so pitiful.

I felt like the biggest joke in the world.

Thomas pushed the door open and strode inside.

I followed right behind him.

Inside the family chapel, Ethan was kneeling bare-chested.

His back was covered in bloody, crisscrossed welts, raw and torn.

The elder administering the punishment froze as soon as Thomas entered.

Ethan slowly lifted his head, looking toward the doorway.

His gaze swept past his furious grandfather and landed squarely on me.

There wasn't the slightest trace of hesitation in his eyes.

All I saw was a chilling hatred and ruthless determination.

He managed a bloody, twisted smile.

"Winona, do you see this?

"Even if I die here today, I will never marry you."

Ethan's voice echoed through the vast family chapel.

It was like a knife, driving unerringly into the last shred of my dignity.

And then, he twisted it without mercy.

I looked at him, with no tears or fuss.

I even kept a composed smile on my face.

But that smile never touched my eyes.

I met his cold stare and nodded gently.

"I saw it," I said.

"Ethan, I heard everything."

With that, I turned and bowed deeply to Thomas.

"Mr. Wallen, I'm sorry," I said.

"This fiasco is all my fault.

"I shouldn't have tried to hold onto something that was never mine to begin with.

"Let's end this engagement here."

Thomas looked at me, his eyes filled with sadness and guilt.

"Winona, the Wallen family owes you an apology," Thomas said.

I shook my head and turned to leave.

I didn't spare Ethan another glance.

My pride wouldn't let me stay here, soaking up everyone's sympathy and pity.

I walked away quickly, my back straight and unyielding.

Behind me came Thomas's furious roar.

And then, the crack of the whip rang out again.

None of this had anything to do with me now.

I went back to the waiting room and closed the door behind me.

I shut myself off from all the noise outside.

I reached into my bag and took out a photo.

It was a picture of Ethan and me, back when we were teenagers.

Taken at the summer camp we attended together, it was the only photo of us side by side.

He stood next to me, his expression aloof and indifferent.

And me? I was smiling like a fool.

For years, I'd carried that photo with me everywhere.

It was the only thread that ever connected us.

Now, looking back, it all just seemed ridiculous.

I stared at the photo. The girl with the beaming smile felt like a stranger to me.

I reached out and, right down the middle between Ethan and me, slowly tore the photo in half.

The rip echoed in the quiet room, crisp and piercing.

And then, I tore it again.

I kept tearing until all that was left was a mess of pieces.

I threw the scraps in the trash, like I was tossing out twenty years of ridiculous attachment.

I took off the white dress and put on my regular clothes.

I opened the door. It was chaotic outside.

No one even noticed me.

No one paid me any mind as I walked out of the Wallen family's ancestral estate.

The sunlight outside was a little harsh.

I squinted against the glare, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number.

The call connected almost instantly.

A warm, soothing male voice came through the line.

"Hello?"

I took a deep breath, keeping my voice steady.

"Callum.

"Does your offer still stand?" I asked.

Callum Keller went quiet for a few seconds, seemingly surprised.

Then, in a voice that left no room for doubt, he said, "Forever."