Love That Vanished with the Dream

On the seventh year since Winter Lidell's father was diagnosed with a deadly heart disease, he's finally eligible for a suitable heart meant for the transplant procedure. On the night before the surgery, Winter's husband of seven years, Liam Jager, requests that she give the heart to his mistress, Regina Baile. Liam still looks tall and handsome as ever, but the cold and aloof expression on his face is something that Winter has never seen before. "Winnie." His voice is emotionless. "Regina's condition is deteriorating rapidly." Winter feels her heart sinking the moment she hears her nickname being uttered coldly. She takes half a step backward instinctively, feeling a premonition looming over her. "She needs a heart transplant." Liam's gaze is fixed on Winnie, his tone carrying a hint of absolute decisiveness. "Right. Now." Every word feels like a blade made of ice cutting into Winnie's heart, where hope is starting to flare. Winnie's voice quivers violently, her words coming out fragmented and broken. "What… are you talking about, Liam? My dad… My dad has been waiting for this heart for seven years!" Chapter 1 Winter Liddell was ecstatic. "Have you forgotten how much we went through just to get this heart donor source?" "No," Liam Jager said calmly. His composed tone was almost suffocating. "But things have changed. Regina is much younger than your father. Her chances of recovery are higher. She has more long-term value to society. "Rationally speaking, the heart should go to her." "Rationally speaking? Liam, that's my dad's life! He's being kept alive by machines while he waits for a donor!" Winter screamed, enraged. "Regina had a full physical two days ago! She has mild angina! She doesn't need surgery at all!" Winter pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from her pocket and hurled it at him. "Have a look at that! You've kept her wrapped in bubble wrap her whole life. One stubbed toe and she's screaming in pain. 'Critical condition'? Do you even have a conscience, Liam?" Liam lowered his gaze and skimmed the thin medical report. His expression didn't change. Winter's heart sank. He had known all along. Liam unhurriedly reached into the inner pocket of his expensive coat and took out several neatly folded sheets of paper. "Sign this. It's a voluntary organ transfer agreement. You'll give Regina priority use of the heart." The room spun. Winter held onto the wall tightly to keep herself from collapsing. "I—Never!" she said through clenched teeth. Liam lowered his voice. Each word was cold like ice. "Be realistic, Winter. What's keeping your father alive right now? Extremely expensive ICU machines. "Sign it, and let Regina have the heart. I'll make sure the equipment keeps running until we find another one for him," he said, pausing before adding, "If you refuse, I'll have every machine shut down in ten minutes." Strength drained from her body. She slid down the wall, feeling powerless. Just before her knees hit the floor, Liam reached out. He wasn't trying to help her up. Instead, he shoved a pen into her stiff, icy hand. Seven years ago, when Richard Liddell was diagnosed with severe heart failure, he solemnly placed the same pen he had carried around for 20 years into her palm. When she and Liam made their relationship official, she gave the pen to him as a token of love. She had looked up at him with eyes full of trust. "This is my dad's most precious possession. Now I'm giving it to you." Liam took it, bent down, and kissed her forehead. "I'll never betray you, or your father's trust, Winnie." And now, this pen that carries her purest love is being used by the man she once deeply loved—he wields its sharp nib like a blade, pressing it against her throat to force her to sign the contract that will kill her own father! Winter's lips trembled. Her voice cracked as she said, "If I refuse, would you really—" Liam's face was unmoving under the harsh hospital lights. "This isn't a negotiation, Winnie." "Liam, for the sake of our seven-year marriage—" she said as her hand spasmed around the pen. His gaze turned colder. "Remember, Winnie. It's your stubbornness that killed your father." As his words fell, his men rushed into the ICU and shut down the life-support machines. "Who are you guys? Don't you know he'll die?" The nurse's scream crushed Winter's last hope. Liam had actually done it. Winter let out a broken scream. She staggered forward and grabbed at Liam's sleeve. He dodged her. "I'll sign it!" She snatched the agreement, but her hands were shaking so badly the pen kept slipping from her fingers. Tears streamed down her face as she took a deep breath and forced herself to focus. She steadied her right wrist with her left hand and scrawled her name at the bottom. "Liam! I signed! Tell them to stop!" Liam let out a low chuckle and leaned closer. There was a cigarette between his fingers. "As punishment for disobeying me, your father gets another ten minutes off the machines." Richard's weak, labored breathing echoed through the walls. Fear gagged Winter. "You're insane!" She lunged toward the ICU, but Liam grabbed her and threw her aside. "I said ten minutes. Not one second less." For the next ten minutes, Winter begged, cursed, and screamed. Liam stared at his wrist, never looking at her once. When the alarm sounded, he lifted his gaze from his green Submariner watch. "The punishment's over." The machines hummed back to life. They sounded like music to Winter's ears. Like a puppet whose strings had snapped, she could no longer hold herself up. Her knees slammed onto the cold floor. She couldn't feel the pain. She struggled to her feet and shuffled toward the exit while clinging to the wall for support. Doctors and nurses rushed past her. "Resuscitate him. Now!" Winter turned just as the ICU doors flew open. Her eyes met Richard's. His lips were purple as they twisted into a grimace. Winter's tears fell in heavy drops. Liam spoke softly into his phone. "Don't worry, Regina. She signed. What do you mean by I stole it? Her father was dying anyway. Giving it to him would've been a waste." He strode toward the elevator. "Wait for me. I'm coming. You'll be fine." Winter laughed through her sobs. That was the man who had once said she was the only one for him. He had even promised not to betray her. It took the hospital staff an entire hour to rescue Richard. Winter stood outside the emergency room and dialed a number that had sat untouched in her contacts. "Hello? I'd like to apply for an artificial heart transplant for my dad. The immigration paperwork will take a week. We'll leave then." Chapter 2 Liam was a notorious playboy in Harbor City's business circles. His private jet was always filled with beautiful companions. That all changed at a cocktail party one day, where he fell for Winter at first sight. The very next day, he cut off every woman around him and grounded his private jet. In the height of summer, he showed up outside her office building every single day with a sapphire necklace worth over a billion. People around him tried to persuade her to be with him. They said they had never seen Liam so fixated on any woman before. "A reformed playboy is priceless," they said. Even Winter's friends both openly and subtly nudged her. "Just give him a chance." Still, Winter never accepted him. She knew how wide the gap between them was. She was afraid that it was just a passing obsession and that he'd lose interest in her after a few days. Instead, he stood there for an entire month, regardless of the weather. One night after working late, the rain was pouring outside. Winter saw Liam standing in the downpour through the office window. His expensive suit was soaked through. She ran downstairs. "What do you want from me?" He tore off his tie, showing a messiness he had never had before. "I want you," he said. "If you'd just look at me once, I'd give you my life." That was the moment Winter's defenses finally collapsed. Ignoring Richard's objections, she married him. After the wedding, his devotion grew. Anything she mentioned liking would appear at her bedside the very next day. It didn't matter how far away it was or how outrageous the price was. People joked that if Winter asked for the stars, Liam would find a way to pluck one straight out of the sky. Even Richard, who had always opposed the marriage, changed his mind. "Liam's a man you can trust. I can die without regrets if he's the one taking care of you." Winter remained wrapped in the illusion of a perfect marriage. That was until the day Liam appeared in front of her while holding Regina's hand. "Winnie, this is Regina," he said calmly. "You two should get along." Before Winter could process what she was seeing, Regine burst into tears. "You never told me you were married! I may just be a poor college student, but my parents raised me to have dignity!" Liam immediately pulled her into his arms and apologized to her repeatedly. "She's my wife. But you're the one I truly love. Don't worry. You won't be any less important than her. Whatever she has, you'll have more." Every word stabbed straight into Winter's chest. Afterward, she cried, argued, and eventually drafted divorce papers, placing them in front of him. "I'll step aside for you and Regina," she said. "I'll give up being Mrs. Jager." Liam's eyes reddened as he tore the papers into pieces. "Winnie, she's just a distraction. No one can replace you as Mrs. Jager." When Winter insisted on divorce, his tone shifted to a half-threat, half promise. "Winnie, your father’s health has never been good. You wouldn't want all this chaos interfering with his recovery, do you?" Her head snapped up, and she stared at him. "What are you implying?" "We're family. You've never had to worry about the cost of his treatments, have you?" he answered lightly. Winter froze. She couldn't say a word. He pulled her into a loose hug. "That's enough drama. I'll come back once I get bored. We'll have a child then. It'll make your father happy." The truth was that Liam cared about Regina far more than he ever admitted. When Regina caught a cold, he canceled billion-dollar deals just to sit with her through IV drips and medication. When her school organized a summer camp, Liam—who usually despised pointless socializing—took off his suit, put on a ridiculous school uniform, and went hiking hand in hand with her. At her graduation, he showed up in full formal wear as her fiance, landing himself on the front page of Harbor City's headlines overnight. Winter became a laughingstock among socialites and wealthy wives. When she confronted him with the newspaper in hand and red eyes, Liam didn't even look at her. "The media makes up things all the time. Do you really believe them?" He even turned it back on her. "You're my legal wife. Is this really all the grace you have?" … Bit by bit, Winter's disappointment hardened into resolve. She began planning to leave with her father. Until she received a call from the hospital: “Your father has a successful match! The heart has arrived, and we are ready for surgery at any time.” She cried with joy. Seven years of prayers had finally been answered. Yet Liam had used her father's life to force her to give up the hope she had waited seven years for. Chapter 3 Winter dragged herself back to the place she had called home for the past eight years. The moment she opened the living room door, she saw Regina leaning against Liam's chest. There were tears on Regina's face. She had clearly been crying. Liam was gently comforting her. "Alright, stop crying. If you keep this up, your eyes are going to swell, and they'll look ugly." Regina pouted and lightly thumped his chest. "You're so mean. I'm not ugly! You're the ugly one!" Winter watched coldly as the man she once deeply loved petted his canary intimately; there is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. Liam cleared his throat and finally looked up. "Winnie, you're back. How's your father?" Winter felt like laughing. He had ordered her father's life support shut off, and yet he still had the nerve to ask her how he was doing? She glanced at Regina. "Thanks to you, he's still breathing for now," she replied. Liam's expression darkened. "Do you realize who you're talking to?" Who? The man who nearly killed Richard, of course! The two locked eyes as tension snapped tight between them. Regina timidly tugged at Liam's sleeve and spoke in a soft, fragile voice. "Daddy, did I upset Winnie?" "Daddy?" Winter widened her eyes. That used to be her nickname for Liam. The irony stung. Liam didn't notice Winter's expression. Perhaps, he simply didn't care. He turned back to Regina and pinched her cheek indulgently. "Don't say that. You didn't do anything wrong." "Will you stay with me at the hospital? I don't want the nurses taking care of me. They're not gentle at all," she pleaded. Winter's eyes dimmed. Now that he had the consent form, he was already rushing Regina into surgery. As Winter turned toward the stairs, Liam suddenly called out to her. "Winnie." He stood up and walked toward her. "I need you to do something for me." With one foot already on the first step, Winter didn't turn around. "Go on. What is it this time? Is it another document you want me to sign? A divorce agreement? Or maybe you want another organ for your precious little girl?" Liam's face hardened. "Winter! Can you stop talking like that?" "My dad just came out of emergency surgery. What do you expect from me?" she said, swallowing the ache in her throat. "I haven't slept in over 24 hours. I just want to go upstairs and rest." Liam grabbed her wrist. "This is your home. You can sleep whenever you want. It's just—" He pointed toward Regina, who was watching with innocent eyes. "Regina needs to be hospitalized for treatment. You've taken care of a heart patient before. You'll stay and look after her for a while." "Have you completely lost your mind? My dad is in the hospital. Who's going to take care of him if I have to take care of her?" she asked, laughing. He tightened his grip on her. Pain shot up her arm. "Can you handle the consequences of disobeying me?" She lowered her gaze. "Fine. I'll take care of her." He loosened his hand at once. "Good. I'll leave it to you," he said gently. Sending his wife to serve his mistress would undoubtedly dominate the Harbor City gossip columns. Winter no longer cared. She didn't have the strength to care. On Regina's first day in the hospital, Winter understood why no private caregiver would stay. Regina complained that the room looked too plain, and had a renovation team brought in to redecorate it in pink. She said the hospital bed was too small and demanded that a custom round bed be moved in. "Is this water even drinkable? I only drink Evian," she complained. "This food is disgusting. I want Pretorian cuisine." The doctors and nurses grumbled constantly. "Is she here for treatment or a vacation?" Regina did whatever she pleased because Liam had donated an entire building to the hospital. When Winter tried to reason with her, Regina burst into tears and immediately called Liam. "You said I wouldn't be less important than her. You lied!" Liam soothed her over the phone. Seconds later, Winter's phone rang. "She's a patient," she said impatiently. "Can't you just give in to her?" Was someone who had the entire hospital running in chaos really the critically ill patient he claimed she was? Chapter 4 Winter hung up after hearing Liam's accusations. She looked at Regina, who was sprawled across the oversized bed. She was lounging under the air-conditioning and eating ice cream. "Aren't you afraid that I'll take a picture of you like this and send it to Liam?" Winter asked. Regina didn't even blink. "What's he going to do? Get mad? He'll probably say I'm cute and that I know how to enjoy life. I'm not like you. You always look miserable. He got sick of that a long time ago." "This is the first time I've seen such a shameless mistress. Didn't you swear you'd rather die than be the other woman back then?" Regina's face flushed. Humiliation turned to anger. She stepped toward Winter, then stopped three feet away from her. A second later, she yanked the breathing mask off the bedside machine and shoved it into Winter's hands. "The one unloved is the real mistress," Regina spat. "Let's see who he believes—you or me." She dropped to her knees with a loud thud and slammed her head on the floor. "Winnie, please! Give it back! I can't breathe!" Winter was still trying to process what was happening when a violent kick broke open the door. Liam rushed in and scooped Regina into his arms. He snatched the mask from Winter before fitting it back over Regina's face. "Regina, are you okay?" Regina sagged against him. Her breathing was shallow. "It isn't Winnie's fault. She just lost control because I took her father's heart. She didn't mean it…" Liam's gaze darkened. "You're just too kind. That's why people step all over you." He turned to Winter. The warmth from his eyes was gone. "I was the one who decided to give Regina the heart. If you're angry, take it out on me. Do you have any idea that you could've killed her?" Winter remained calm. She pointed toward the camera in the corner of the room. "It wasn't me. Check the cameras if you don't believe me. Besides—" She paused. "It was just a breathing mask. She wasn't in danger. Have you forgotten that you shut off my dad's life support for ten full minutes?" A flash of violence crossed Liam's eyes. "We’ll see how long you can keep being stubborn." He started to get up, but Regina clutched his sleeve and shook her head weakly. "Don't check. I don't want you to see me like this. I don't want you to hurt over this," she said, coughing. "I believe Winnie didn't mean to do it. Please give her another chance." Her coughing fit left Liam visibly shaken. "Alright, sure. We won't check the cameras, but I can't just let her humiliate you like this." His voice hardened as he turned back to Winter. "She knelt and begged you. You'll kneel and apologize the same way." Winter stared at him in disbelief. "I'm not going to admit to something I didn't do, Liam. I'm not kneeling to her. You wouldn't sink so low as to threaten my dad again, would you?" Liam stepped closer, and his tall frame cast a shadow over her. "There's no need to complicate things, is there?" He gestured toward the door. Several large bodyguards rushed into the room. His eyes met hers casually. "Make her kneel and apologize. Keep going until I say stop. Leave the door open. Make sure everyone knows what happens when someone hurts Regina." The guards didn't hesitate. Two of them pinned Winter's arms while another grabbed her from behind. She struggled violently at first. Her hair fell loose as tears streamed down her cheeks. "You'll regret this, Liam!" Liam looked down at her from above. His expensive wool coat was still perfectly pressed. "The only thing I'd regret is not teaching you a lesson for Regina today." The last of Winter's resistance drained away when she met his ice-cold gaze. She went limp, letting the guards grip her hair and slam her head against the freezing marble floor. Each impact exploded inside her skull. Pain tore through her forehead. It was as if her skull were about to shatter. The noise drew people passing through the hallway to look inside the room. Chapter 5 Liam finally stopped the bodyguards when Winter's head was bleeding. Regina hid behind him. She lifted her chin and smugly looked down at Winter, who was sprawled on the floor. Liam pulled out a handkerchief with clear disgust and tossed it onto the floor. "This was just a warning. If this happens again, you won't get off so easily." With that, he turned and focused on comforting Regina. Winter clenched her teeth. Her long hair hung loose, hiding half of her face. She forced herself to stand. The moment she stepped out of the hospital room, her legs gave out, and she blacked out. A blinding white light filled her vision. Through it, she saw a blurry figure. As it slowly came into focus, her heart stopped. It was Richard. Winter jolted awake and reached for him. He was only a step away, yet she couldn't catch him no matter how fast she ran. She chased him until she was exhausted. Richard's figure drifted farther and farther away. "Dad! Don't leave me!" … "Ma'am, wake up," a nurse said disapprovingly. "You're pregnant. If your emotions become too volatile, you'd be putting both yourself and the baby at risk." Winter's ears rang. She grabbed the nurse's wrist. "I'm pregnant?" The nurse handed her the ultrasound report. "You're seven weeks pregnant. You need to be careful." Winter stroked her flat stomach. She couldn't believe she was carrying Liam's child now, of all times. She threw herself onto the bed and pounded the mattress repeatedly. A low sob escaped her throat. While Liam stayed at the hospital with Regina, Winter returned to the place she could barely call home anymore. Their wedding photo still hung in the living room. The colors had dulled with age. It was just like them. Whatever love they'd had had long since gone stale. She dragged a ladder over, took it down with some struggle, and cut it apart with a pair of scissors. In the corner of the walk-in closet sat a wooden box. Inside were seven years of memories. There was a handwritten relationship journal, photo albums, the candles from his confession, and her bridal bouquet. The entire box was proof that he had once loved her, but it also showed that he no longer did now. She started a basin fire and fed the items, piece by piece, into the flame. The flames swiftly devoured each item. Tears fell as the thick smoke singed her eyes. "Who's burning something in here?" Liam pushed open the closet door. Irritation was sharp in his voice. "Are you trying to burn the house down? Is this some kind of threat? Are you trying to guilt me into giving your father another heart?" Winter pressed a hand to her chest. Strangely, his cold words no longer hurt. She chuckled softly. She no longer loved him. Liam frowned. "What are you playing at now? Regina's in the hospital. Can you stop acting out for once?" Winter brushed ash from her clothes. "I wasn't doing anything. Just cleaning out some trash," she said lightly. Her calm unsettled Liam for the first time. He softened his tone. "I'm already in touch with the best institutions. I'm sure we'll find a suitable heart for him soon. Can you stop fighting me? Can't we just live properly again?" Winter lowered her gaze as a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Is that so? That's good to hear. Too bad, I don't want to." She moved past him, but he grabbed her wrist. "What's going on in your head? Regina's in—" "Am I really that vicious to you, Liam?" she said, cutting him off. "Relax. I won't hurt her. This was never her fault." Liam sighed in relief. "There's a private dinner tonight. Come with me." He expected Winter to ask why he wasn't bringing Regina, then refuse. Instead, she said nothing. She casually began choosing a dress. She applied a touch of makeup and selected a blue slip dress that contrasted beautifully with her skin. "Let's go," she said, slipping her arm through his just like before. In the car, Liam stared at her in a daze. He had almost forgotten that Winter had once been Harbor City's most dazzling beauty. The moment they entered the ballroom, strange looks followed Winter. In a corner, several well-connected socialites whispered among themselves. "Does she even know that the mistress is here, too? This should be interesting." "I feel bad for her. She thought she married some perfect man, but turns out he's the same as the rest of them." "That mistress is awfully bold. Someone must be backing her. How would a poor college girl even show up here otherwise?" That was when Winter realized Regina had arrived before them. "Winnie! Over here!" Regina strode toward them in her white velvet gown and four-inch heels. When she was a few feet away from them, she suddenly twisted her ankle. Liam immediately let go of Winter and caught Regina. A wave of gasps spread through the room. With how blatant they were while Winter was there, one could only imagine how shameless they were in private. Regina pouted. "Hey, Winnie's still here. This is embarrassing." Liam's hand tightened around her waist as he leaned closer to her ear. "Enough with your games. Save it for tonight." Winter clenched her fists. Her nails dug into her palms. Regina snapped back to her senses and warmly hooked her arm through Winter's. "Come on, Winnie. Let's grab something to eat." Her posture made it seem as though Winter was the extra attendee tonight. The instant Winter took a step forward, her shoulder strap broke. In an instant, her chest was exposed. Chapter 6 Winter's face went deathly pale. She quickly covered her chest. She looked up at Regina, who was standing to the side with an innocent expression. She managed to see her slip a razor blade in between her fingers. Before Winter could call her out, Regina threw the blame at her first. "Winnie, I know you're trying to get Mr. Jager's attention, but at least pick the right occasion. Were you trying to embarrass him on purpose by stripping like that in public?" Winter shot back immediately, "Regina, you clearly cut my strap—" "Enough, Winter!" Liam roared with disgust in his eyes. "I should have seen through you earlier. Using something this shameless just to draw attention is pathetic!" Disappointment seeped into Winter's gaze. "Regina cut my strap. If you don't believe me, check her fingers. She's hiding a blade." Suspicion flickered in Liam's eyes. "Regina, was it you?" Regina shook her head. "No. Liam, do you really not trust me?" She widened her eyes, and tears spilled down her cheeks. "I shouldn't have come here in the first place. I'm the third person. I'll leave and never come back again!" Liam immediately pulled her into his arms. "I only reacted that way because I didn't want you to be mistreated. I believe you." Regina looked at Winter over his shoulder. Her eyes were crinkled in a faint smile. "Winnie loves you too much. Don't blame her for it. I'll go help her get changed." Liam looked down at Winter, who was crouched helplessly on the floor. "You wrongly accused Regina, and yet she's still speaking up for you. Think about your actions, Winter." After changing, Winter walked past Regina and headed for the exit. Regina stepped in front of her. "Who do you think you are to compete with me?" Regina dropped her innocent act and revealed her true colors while they were in a quiet corner. Winter smiled. "I'm not competing with you anymore. If you like Liam, take him." Regina froze. She wasn't expecting her to give up so easily. "At least you know your place," she said, stepping in front of Winter with crossed arms. She had her back to the staircase. "I won't replace you until Liam completely despises you." Winter didn't want to argue with her anymore. "He already despises me. All we're missing is a divorce certificate." A dangerous glint flashed in Regina's eyes. "Isn't your bed-ridden father still alive?" Winter's mind filled with Richard's pale face. He had held on for seven years. He could've gotten a new heart. "You don't get to talk about him," Winter roared. A second later, Regina screamed for help and tumbled down the stairs. Winter instinctively reached out, but only managed to grab the edge of her dress. Guests rushed over at the sound. What they saw was Winter standing at the top of the stairs with her hand still outstretched, and Regina unconscious at her feet. "Regina!" Liam's face drained of color. He shoved through the crowd, scooped Regina up, and held her tight. "Regina, you're scaring me!" Winter didn't think Regina would go that far just to frame her. "Liam, I didn't—" The air around him turned icy. "You didn't do it. It wasn't you," Liam mocked. "Winter, do you even believe that yourself? I saw it with my own eyes. You can't stand Regina. You've targeted her again and again, and this time, you nearly killed her." All eyes turned to Winter. "Who would've thought someone so beautiful could be so rotten inside?" "Pretty face, but ugly heart." "That poor girl keeps giving in, but she just keeps pushing her." … "I say we call the police and have her arrested!" Panic surged through Winter. Richard's condition could take a turn at any moment. She couldn't leave his side. "Liam, it really wasn't me. She did it herself—" Liam stepped closer to her and grabbed her chin. "You've disappointed me beyond words. You'll never learn unless you're punished by the law." He pulled out his phone and made the call. Winter trembled as she looked up at him. "Liam, you can't do this. My dad—" He raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face. "Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me." The noisy crowd fell silent. Winter froze. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. The police arrived soon after and led Winter away in handcuffs. Chapter 7 On the way to the hospital, clarity returned to Liam's eyes. He reached out and gently touched Regina's small face. "Wake up already, or Daddy might eat you up." Regina pouted and sat up. "Hmph. I didn't even pass out. Are you disappointed?" Liam chuckled and pinched her nose affectionately. "You brat." "Why did you let the police take her away? Aren't you afraid she'll really get mad at you?" she asked, covering her mouth. Liam lowered his gaze. "Even if you weren't seriously hurt, she did push you. Winnie's too stubborn. Locking her up for a few days will take the edge off. Maybe then she'll stop being so sharp-tongued all the time." Regina quietly let out a breath of relief. For a moment, she'd thought he'd seen through her scheme. She nestled into his arms and whined, "I may not be hurt physically, but I'm traumatized. Feel my heartbeat…" The driver discreetly raised the partition as the car filled with heat. … Winter sat blankly on the detention center floor. She prayed that Richard would be safe. The officer who brought her in said Regina wasn't seriously injured. As long as Winter stayed there for 72 hours, she'd be released. She had underestimated Regina. It wasn't until late at night when she was jolted awake by fists and kicks that she truly understood how vicious Regina could be. Regina had bribed the other women in the cell. "Teach her a hard lesson. Just don't kill her." Winter bit down on her lip as the other inmates beat her up. She instinctively curled into the fetal position, protecting her stomach with everything she had. They didn't stop. A tall, heavyset inmate kicked her square in the abdomen. Winter let out a muffled cry as warmth spread beneath her. When she was loaded into the ambulance, she was painfully aware of something slipping out of her body. Tears slid down the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." … Winter was unconscious for 12 hours. When she woke up, the nurse's first question was whether she wanted to call the police. She had been tormented for three whole days. Bruises had bloomed across her body. Regina was the apple of Liam's eye. Even if the truth came to light, would it change anything? Maybe he would give Regina a few hollow words of reprimand. Winter silently shook her head. The only good news she got was a call from immigration. Everything had been approved. She could leave with Richard tomorrow. Dragging her weakened body, she completed the discharge paperwork. When she pushed open the hospital room door, she saw Regina pacing back and forth inside. "Why won't you just die already, old man? I've had people beat her to a pulp. She couldn't even fight back," she snapped. "She's just as useless as you." Winter's lower abdomen still throbbed. Days of physical pain and emotional collapse crashed together in that instant. She rushed toward Regina and slapped her. "Aren't you afraid of retribution, Regina?" "I was just worried about you and your dad," Regina said, covering her cheek with a pitiful look. A second later, Liam appeared in the doorway. "How long are you planning to keep this up? Do you want another 72 hours in jail?" His gaze fell on the bruises on her exposed skin. He frowned. "How did you get hurt?" Panic flashed in Regina's eyes. She quickly grabbed his arm. "Ah! My chest hurts!" Liam quickly steadied her. His face was tight with concern. "I turn my back for one second, and you end up getting hurt like this," he said coldly. "Come here. I'll show you how to deal with people who hurt you." He raised his hand. Two large men immediately entered the room and seized Winter by the arms. Still holding Regina's hand, Liam swung his other hand across Winter's face. "See that? That's how you do it." Regina hesitated. "I—I can't." Without warning, Lian struck Winter again. "Don't say that," he snapped, shoving Regina toward Winter. "Hit her. Keep going until she learns." Regina blinked, then swung her arm without holding back. Soon, the hospital room was filled with nothing but the relentless crack of her palm against Winter's skin. No one knew how many times she had struck her. Regina's hand was swollen. She ran back to Liam and started stomping her foot. "My hand hurts." Liam called for a nurse to bring an ice pack and pressed it against her hand himself. Winter lay sprawled on the floor as she wiped blood from the corner of her mouth. When she looked up, the despair in her eyes made Liam pause. "That's enough," he said. As he turned to leave, Winter stopped him. "My dad is being discharged. Admissions said you paid the bill. They need your signature before he can leave." Liam scoffed. "He's getting discharged? Didn't you say he'd die without a heart transplant? You really don't know when to stop lying." Winter struggled to her feet. Liam didn't even look at her as he signed his name at the bottom of the form. "Don't push me again, Winter. If you do, I'll cut off your father's treatment for good." He tossed the stack of papers into the air, then wrapped an arm around Regina and walked away. Winter dropped to her knees and gathered the papers. When her fingers brushed against the words "Divorce Agreement", they trembled. "The transfer paperwork is complete. We wish you good luck." Winter pushed Richard's wheelchair onto the plane. Before boarding, she looked back at Harbor City one last time. "Goodbye Liam and goodbye to the heart that I waited seven years for."