Chapter 6
Wayne didn't even wait for Colette to answer, just kept talking, his voice tinged with a bitterness he didn't even notice himself.
"Colette, you'd really do anything for money, huh? Doesn't matter who it is," he spat.
That line hit Colette like a poisoned dagger, stabbing right through her heart.
In that instant, it felt like every drop of blood in her body froze solid.
She snapped her head up, staring at him, unable to believe what she was hearing.
She thought that after six years, he would have at least changed a little. But to him, she was still that woman who'd do anything for cash.
A tidal wave of grief and anger hit her all at once.
Colette was shaking with rage, and before she knew it, she slapped him hard across the face.
A crisp sound rang out, harsh and clear in the empty hallway.
Wayne's head jerked to the side, five bright finger marks instantly blooming on his cheek.
He was stunned.
Colette was stunned, too. She stared at her hand, still tingling, unable to believe she'd just done that.
This was the same man she once loved so deeply she couldn't even bring herself to speak harshly to him.
Wayne slowly turned his head, his eyes wild with rage and disbelief.
"You dare to hit me?" His voice was icy, like it came from the depths of hell.
Colette stared him down, anger drowning out any fear. She straightened up, letting out a cold, mocking laugh.
"Wayne, I'm warning you. You can insult me all you want, but don't you dare talk trash about my friends. Dr. Locke is a good man. He's nothing like you or your kind!" Colette said.
"Friends?" Wayne sneered, his eyes turning even colder.
He continued, "Come on, let's call it what it is. He's your boyfriend, right? You sure work fast, Colette. Barely divorced and you've already got your next guy lined up."
Colette was so furious she couldn't even get a word out.
She finally understood that there was just no getting through to a guy like Wayne. In his eyes, everything and everyone had a price tag.
She was done wasting her breath and turned to walk away. But Wayne grabbed her, pressing her firmly against the wall.
"Spit it out. Who is that guy?" He demanded.
His grip was iron-tight, leaving Colette completely trapped, unable to break free.
His presence was so overpowering, she felt suffocated.
She fought to break free, shouting, "Let me go! Wayne, let me go!"
Just then, a calm voice with a hint of chill broke the tension from behind them. "Sir, please let her go."
They both turned around.
Caleb was standing at the far end of the hallway. He'd ditched his white coat for casual clothes, but that chilly, refined aura still clung to him.
He walked over quickly, his brows furrowing when he saw Wayne giving Colette a hard time.
Wayne's glare grew even colder as soon as he spotted Caleb. He looked Caleb up and down, his tone sharp and unfriendly.
"You're that doctor?" Wayne frowned.
Caleb ignored the provocation, his eyes locked onto Wayne's hand on Colette's arm.
"Making a scene in a hospital and putting your hands on a woman? Sir, where's your sense of decency?" Caleb's voice was icy.
Wayne was caught off guard, his expression souring.
He released Colette, but stayed planted in front of her, seemingly to block her from harm.
"This is between us. It's none of your business," Wayne said.
"Between you two?" Caleb scoffed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "All I see is you bullying her. Colette, are you okay?"
He turned to Colette, genuine concern shining in his eyes.
Colette shook her head and stepped away from Wayne, putting some space between them.
"I'm fine, Caleb. What are you still doing here?" Colette asked.
"I couldn't stop worrying, so I came back," Caleb replied, his eyes landing on Wayne. "Let me guess. You're the kid's dad, right?"
Wayne's expression froze.
Caleb continued, "I've seen plenty of dads like you in my line of work. Gone when your kid needed you most, and now suddenly acting like the doting father. Isn't it way too late for that?"
His voice was calm, but every word hit like a dagger, cutting right into Wayne's heart.
Wayne's face went ghostly pale. He tried to say something, but nothing came out.
It was the truth. Wayne had no right to say anything.
He'd missed out on six whole years of his son's life. He couldn't begin to picture what Colette went through, raising Theodore alone for six years.