Chapter 45 The beginning of Caleb and Emma

Shortly after Caleb left, Mrs. Collins' staff arrived and delivered all the items they had taken from the party, including the painting. Alina couldn't shake off the chill that ran down her spine as she thought about the battle that took place that night. Were Mrs. Collins and Caleb now openly confronting each other? Was this war caused by Caleb?

"Mrs. Collins actually sent so many things," Lucy remarked, looking at the items.

Alina nodded in agreement. She, too, was surprised. In her perception, Mrs. Collins had always been a cold and unpleasant elder, particularly towards her when she married Caleb. However, now, while Mrs. Collins still maintained a cold attitude, it seemed relatively kind compared to Caleb.

Julia called.

"Alina, Mom seems to be in a good mood when she came back today," Julia said.

"Oh?" Alina wondered how her mother could be in a good mood when she had fallen out with Caleb.

Julia continued, "Alina, how about I go to Oklens with you this time?"

"You're going too?"

"Yeah, I want to go and meet someone."

"I might not have much time to take care of you over there."

"It's alright, I can take care of myself. I just want to go with you."

"Alright."

Since Julia had expressed her desire, it wouldn't be right for Alina to refuse. So, she agreed.

"Alina, have you seen the news?" Julia asked.

"What's wrong?"

"Emma is facing backlash on the internet again," Julia said, sounding lighthearted and happy.

Alina was aware of it. Despite Mrs. Collins' cold demeanor, everyone else seemed to like her. Emma's presence, on the other hand, made people uncomfortable. After all, within the extended family, she was naturally unwelcome.

"Julia."

"Yes?"

"When did it all start between Caleb and her? And how did it start?" Alina had never been quite sure about the timeline of Caleb and Emma's involvement.

Julia, shocked by Alina's question, couldn't believe she didn't know such a significant detail. The entire Collins family knew, especially their mother.

"When was that?" Alina wasn't usually a curious person, but Julia's shocked tone piqued her curiosity about Caleb.

"It was three years ago," Julia revealed. "You didn't know? Everyone in the Collins family knows."

Alina recalled hearing Emma's name from Brandon in the car, back when she was devastated and desperate. In retrospect, it hadn't been worth it.

Afterward, Alina deliberately blocked out everything related to Caleb in Shirling. She didn't want any reminders of him.

"That incident probably happened when Caleb was 24. One night, he was set up at a party, rushed to the hospital, and ended up in a car accident on the way," Julia explained.

"Emma called an ambulance for him?" Alina raised an eyebrow.

She had no idea that Caleb had been involved in such a serious incident. But considering his popularity with women, it was not surprising that someone would go to such lengths to harm him.

Julia continued, "It was raining heavily that night, putting him in even greater danger."

"What?"

"Yes, the other party orchestrated it. It was a dangerous situation, not only to ruin his reputation but also potentially take his life."

That was quite thrilling, Alina thought. In the end, the other party was completely ruined.

"So, it was Emma who saved his life?"

Julia's voice turned somber. "He assaulted Emma in the car." She didn't elaborate on the details that followed, but at that moment, Alina's face became stiff and pale.

Memories that she had tried to bury deep within resurfaced in her mind. The truth she had long tried to ignore suddenly became vivid.

"I was told that Emma was severely injured, to the extent that she lost her chance of becoming a mother," Julia shared on the other end of the phone.

"I don't need to tell you what happened afterwards. Caleb has always been a dominant man, and Alina, you should know that."

Yes, he was indeed a dominant man. If it hadn't been for Emma's illness, he would have been responsible in their marriage. It wasn't about love, but rather a sense of duty. Perhaps he did the same for Emma.

"Julia, I'm tired. I need to go to sleep," Alina interrupted. Her face grew paler, and she didn't want to discuss anything further at the moment.

Without waiting for a response from the other end, she simply hung up.

Back in her room, it was pitch dark. For the first time in years, she sat in the darkness, feeling as if the scarlet eyes of a beast were fixated on her.

A sense of unease and creepiness washed over her. Unable to bear the scene, Alina eventually switched on the lights. The feeling of fear was overpowering.

It was the rainy night she didn't want to remember, the rainy night that had plunged her into an abyss of endless nightmares.

Nobody knew how much effort her family had put in to help her escape that nightmare. Two years had passed, but she had almost forgotten the countless psychiatrists and counseling sessions she had gone through.

Alina spent the entire night haunted by nightmares. However, when she woke up the next morning, it was as if nothing had happened. It didn't seem to affect her good mood.

Early in the morning, Alina had a hearty breakfast, surprising Lucy, who had never seen her eat so well since her return.

"Lady Alina, you seem to be in a good mood today."

"Yes."

"Is there something that made you happy?" Lucy couldn't comprehend how Alina could be so cheerful while public opinion was in an uproar.

Alina replied, "Because the man finally agreed to divorce."

Lucy was momentarily taken aback. But she quickly felt relieved. "That's good. Women have more than one choice in life. If your grandmother were alive, she would also support you."

Grandma had never been a firm believer in marriage. If she were still alive, Alina probably wouldn't have married so early. Grandma would have supported her decision not to marry, considering the damage that Grandpa had inflicted on her in their marriage.