Chapter 23
Following a moment of static, Christian’s tentative voice sounded from the recording, asking, “Have you truly moved on from him?”
Upon hearing that, Joseph, who was lying on the hospital bed, immediately tensed and held his breath, not wanting to miss Winona’s reply.
It wasn’t long before Winona’s resolute and unwavering voice echoed in Joseph’s ear, saying, “Yes, I have.”
Upon hearing her affirmation, Joseph’s blood immediately ran cold. His fingers instinctively tightened around the bedsheet until his knuckles paled. His body seemed rooted to the hospital bed, unable to move even slightly. He felt his brain shutting down, with all mental processes ceasing, as if his world had utterly disintegrated in that very second.
He could barely make out Winona’s following words due to the intensifying ringing in his ears. It didn’t really matter, though, as that single remark had already told him everything. She had truly moved on. It meant she no longer loved him and would never consider going back to him. It turned out that his entire month of ardent pursuit had been a misguided fantasy.
Yet, her words continued to emanate from the recording, saying, “I have once harbored love, grievances, and even animosity toward him, but all of it has dissipated with the passage of time. It’d be ideal for us to go our separate ways and not bother each other again, as we’re nothing more than strangers at this point.”
She delivered her lengthy statement with remarkable calm, her voice brimming with a profound feeling of release. She had truly let go of her past and moved on from him.
It took a while before Joseph finally stirred. He chuckled wryly. All the things he longed to express in his heart were merely condensed into that wry
smile.
Observing Joseph’s expression, Christian immediately understood that the former would no longer bother Winona. Thus, he silently got up from his seat, walked out of the hospital ward, and closed the door behind him.
Joseph slumped entirely onto the hospital bed, his hands hanging loose by his sides as he vacantly stared into the distance. He felt a crushing sensation on his chest, making every breath a shallow, labored effort. His mind was flooded with memories of his time with Winona, beautiful moments that now felt like daggers to his heart.
He had truly lost Winona for good. He then closed his eyes in utter despair, a solitary tear tracing a silent path down his cheek.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hospital, Winona turned to Christian as he returned. She anxiously asked, “How did it go, Christian?”
Christian chuckled as he playfully ruffled her hair, replying, “Your savior has already accepted our gratitude. He conveyed that it was just a fleeting encounter, so you don’t have to go out of your way to thank him. He also mentioned that you should just take care of yourself and live a good life.”
It was only then that Winona breathed a sigh of relief. She had initially intended to thank her rescuer in person, but Christian had dissuaded her, insisting that he would convey her thanks on her behalf.
Having finally dealt with this matter, Winona excitedly urged Christian to return to the Chapman residence, exclaiming, “Hurry up, Christian! I’m dying to try Mom’s honey–glazed spare ribs!”
Christopher teased, “Got it, you little foodie.”
Joseph, in the hospital ward, felt a pang of envy as he witnessed Winona and Christian’s lighthearted banter.
However, he remained silent and simply turned his gaze toward the individual dispatched by Isaac to pick him up from the hospital.
“Mr. Isaac has consented to your terms, Mr. Joseph. He intends to choose someone from the extended family line to groom as the new heir of Lowe Group.”
Joseph merely hummed in assent and said, “Let’s go.”
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for all that had come before as he silently bid farewell to Winona. He genuinely hoped that her life ahead would be full of brilliance, now that he wasn’t by her side anymore.
