Chapter 17
Having already warned Joseph to steer clear of Winona, Christian didn’t expect Joseph to be so audacious as to sneak into a private party to seek her out. His audacity had nearly caused Winona to catch sight of him.
Winona had already endured plenty of hardship and pain because of Joseph, so Christian couldn’t bear to imagine the fallout if she were to see him again. Thus, the moment he caught sight of Joseph trying to catch up to her, Christian didn’t hesitate and simply lashed out with a punch.
Joseph, who was lying on the ground, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. He feebly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth before he struggled to his feet. However, Christian gave him no opportunity to do so.
Upon seeing the escalating situation, the surrounding guests quickly scattered, leaving the grand hall vacant with just the two men remaining.
Joseph lay on the ground, bloodied and clinging to life, while Christian stood over him with blood dripping from his hand. His gaze was cold and unyielding as he barked, “I’m warning you, Joseph. You had better not appear before me again. Otherwise, I’ll beat you senseless every single time!”
It was a long time after Christian had departed that Joseph, still on the floor, finally stirred, letting out a bitter, hollow laugh. It was impossible for him to stay away from Winona. He could never bring himself to do it.
In the meantime, from within the Chapman family’s car, Winona spent a fair bit of time on her phone until Christian finally appeared. She then asked with a hint of curiosity, “Where have you been?”
Her question momentarily caused Christian to falter. He then discreetly discarded the blood–stained handkerchief out the car window and calmly replied, “It was nothing. I just ran into an acquaintance and had a quick chat.”
Winona abruptly moved closer to Christian, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Your acquaintance, huh? I’m pretty sure this whole cocktail party was filled with new faces, though. You couldn’t possibly…”
Christian’s heart leaped into his throat as Winona drew out her words. He couldn’t bear to hear her utter Joseph’s name. He didn’t know how he would gloss over the matter if she truly knew that Joseph had come all the way to Havensport for her. Yet, despite the rising panic, he maintained a calm façade and asked, “What is it?”
“You couldn’t possibly have someone else on the side, right?” Winona exclaimed.
Christian firmly rapped Winona’s head and huffed, “What nonsense have you been thinking about all day long?”
Winona held her head and sulked, feigning irritation. “I had nothing to do, alright?”
Winona, feeling a fresh wave of exasperation washing over her, snapped, “It’s actually all your fault! I mean, I know I just got a divorce, but I’m an adult now. I’m not going to do anything foolish. Yet, you guys keep me confined at home and insist on shadowing me everywhere I go. I just don’t get you guys. Is there some beast lurking out there that’s going to gobble me up once I step outside?”
Christian hesitated, thinking that Joseph was exactly the beast Winona was talking about. He didn’t say it out loud, though. Instead, he chose to stroke Winona’s head gently, saying, “You haven’t really spent much time with us for the past five years, Winnie. Isn’t it nice to just stay home and be with us?”
Having already alerted Isaac back in Brightwood, Christian was confident that Joseph would soon be dragged back there against his will. Then, he wouldn’t have to stop Winona from going wherever she wanted.
Upon hearing that, Winona couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Her marriage had sent her to a faraway place from home. Between the long distances and her parents‘ declining health, opportunities to see them had been few and far between.
In addition, neither she nor her parents wanted to burden the other with worries, leading them to conceal their troubles whenever possible. So, their chats often fizzled out after a few lines, ending in awkward silence before they gave up and hung up.
ra ?
It was only after Winona returned home from Brightwood that she truly understood how much her parents had held back. Christian and Dakota even commented on how much livelier the house had become ever since she returned to the Chapman residence.
