Chapter 5

Joanna Bennett POV

I cut her off. "Chloe, we're all adults here. You can't let go of Caleb, you can go after him, but there's no need to put me down."

Chloe looked furious.

I didn't look at her again and walked out.

In the living room, Caleb had just returned from seeing off his friends and bumped into me.

He glanced at the kitchen, then at my face.

"They had a bit too much to drink earlier, those things they said… don't take them to heart."

I looked at him, silent for a few seconds. "Caleb Miller, I saw the photo album on your bookshelf."

The air in the living room seemed to solidify.

"Every single one was Chloe, and on the back of each one were your words." My voice was steady. "'Day 47, missing you.' 'If you came back, I would never let go again.'"

Caleb looked flustered, trying to grab my wrist, but I pulled away. "Joanna, let me explain, that was just—"

"No need to explain." I cut him off.

Caleb stubbornly grabbed my hand.

"Joanna," his voice tightened, "Let's talk—"

"Caleb!"

Chloe came out of the kitchen, holding up her hand, her voice urgent. "I accidentally cut my finger just now, it's bleeding a lot. Quick, help me look, will it affect me doing missions later?"

Blood was oozing from between her fingers.

Caleb immediately released my wrist and strode towards Chloe.

I stood there, looking down at my released wrist.

A red mark remained, but it would soon fade.

Just like all my traces of him.

I glanced at the two of them, then turned and walked upstairs.

My ankle injury still hadn't healed; the bandage was wrapped tightly, and I had to lean heavily on the banister to climb the stairs.

Amidst Caleb comforting Chloe in the background, as I reached the fourth step, the bandage accidentally caught on a metal bar.

I didn't have time to react, my foot slipped, and I fell heavily—

That already swollen foot twisted sharply.

A searing pain shot through me.

I bit my lip, not making a sound.

Caleb's voice came from the living room: "What happened?"

He took two steps towards me, then was called back.

"Caleb, I'm still bleeding, please help me first…"

His footsteps stopped.

I bit my lip, slowly stood up by leaning on the wall.

My left foot was completely useless; the blood from my ankle was close to soaking through the bandage.

My wolf was almost entirely consumed by the pain and the agitation from the toxin.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the doctor's number. "Hello, my ankle is injured again. Could you please come pick me up?"

Caleb finally walked over, his face pale. "I'll take you."

"No need."

No sooner had I spoken than the sound of a vehicle came from outside.

The doctor's assistant came in and helped me into the car.

I didn't let Caleb touch me the entire time.

Forty minutes later, after being treated, I walked out of the clinic on crutches.

Caleb was waiting for me in the hallway.

"Joanna." He blocked my path. "What's wrong with you tonight? Why are you so cold? If you're angry, just say so, I can change, can't I?"

I stopped and looked at him.

The hallway light was bright white; anxiety and confusion were in his eyes.

"Caleb Miller," I said, "haven't you always hated it when I lost my temper?"

Caleb froze.

"Every time I confronted you about Chloe, you'd say I was too sensitive. You'd tell me to be more sensible, not to be unreasonable."

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Now I'm sensible," I looked at him, my voice soft. "I'm not throwing a temper, I can solve problems on my own, without bothering you."

I paused.

"Isn't this what you always wanted?"