Chapter 4

Caleb arrived quickly.

He first glanced at me, his eyes dark, filled with an unbearable sorrow.

When he saw me looking at him, Caleb turned his head, avoiding my gaze.

He walked straight to Chloe, frowning impatiently.

"Who told you to come here? Didn't I tell you not to bother Audrey?"

Chloe sniffled and said:

"Caleb, I… I just felt so bad for Audrey, I wanted to apologize."

Mom couldn't hold back anymore.

She rushed to Caleb, tears welling in her eyes.

"Caleb, what did you promise us back then? You said you’d be good to Audrey your whole life, that you’d take care of her, cherish her. And now? You changed your mind so quickly?"

Dad grabbed Caleb’s collar, yelling:

"You need to give us, and Audrey, an explanation today, or this isn't over! We treated you like our own son, and this is how you repay us?"

I watched the chaotic scene before me, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside.

I knew Caleb was being manipulated by the system, but I couldn't defend him.

Why… why were they doing this to us?

Caleb lowered his head, his lips moved, but he didn’t say a word.

Chloe spoke, looking utterly pitiful.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, it’s all my fault. I shouldn't have come. Please don’t blame Caleb."

Dad’s anger completely erupted.

He raised his hand and slapped Caleb hard, twice.

"SLAP! SLAP!"

The sharp sounds echoed through the hospital room. Caleb’s face instantly swelled, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Chloe shrieked at the sight.

"Ah! How dare you hit him? Don’t you know that’s against the law! Caleb!"

"Shut up."

Caleb suddenly roared. His furious shout stunned everyone.

A flicker of panic crossed Chloe’s eyes, but she quickly reverted to her pitiful demeanor.

Tears hung precariously on her eyelashes.

"You… you yelled at me?"

Caleb ignored her. He slowly turned his head, his gaze filled with agony as he looked at me.

"I owe Audrey everything. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, I’m sorry."

"Caleb, look at me!"

Mom’s trembling hand reached out to touch his swollen face.

"Have you forgotten what you said on your engagement day? You said you’d do everything you could to make Audrey happy…"

Caleb’s body trembled slightly. His previously lowered head slowly rose.

His eyes were bloodshot, hiding countless unspoken hardships.

"I haven’t forgotten… but some things, I can’t control…"

His words caught in his throat, unable to continue.

"You can’t control them? Is there anything in this world more important than making Audrey happy? What about your vows? Did they mean nothing?"

Dad’s hands clenched into tight fists, his knuckles white from the strain.

"Caleb Grayson, if you don't explain yourself today, you won't leave this room! We treated you like our own son, and this is how you repay us?"

Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, making it hard to breathe.

A wave of helplessness washed over me, threatening to drown me.

Caleb, I know you must be in even more pain than I am, right?

"Dad, Mom, please don’t push him…"

I couldn't help but speak, my voice laced with a plea.