Chapter 47 Reaction is fierce

Alina's anger reached its peak. She was the only one who knew how limited her time was right now, and she had hoped to get the divorce settled before heading to Oklens. But Caleb's broken promise had backfired, wasting her entire morning. When she returned, Lucy noticed the frustrated look on her face and asked, "What happened, Lady Alina?"

Alina snapped, "Nothing, just encountered a psycho," venting her frustration towards Caleb.

Lucy felt a pang of concern. It seemed that a woman's personality could truly change when she didn't have a good husband. In Lucy's eyes, Alina was an elegant princess-like woman, but now she was being forced by Caleb to have a bad temper.

During lunchtime, Caleb finally arrived. Alina watched as he placed a beautifully wrapped gift box in front of her. "What's this for?" she questioned.

"It's for you," Caleb replied.

It was a rarity for Alina. Throughout their marriage, she had never received a gift. Others received birthday gifts, anniversary gifts, and even gifts on Valentine's Day. However, all she had was a sense of duty, which was eventually withdrawn. And now, a divorce gift? She didn't need any gifts; a swift divorce was more valuable to her than any material offering.

Caleb noticed the change in her expression. His face grew stern. "Alina, stop it," he said, struggling to keep his anger in check.

Alina raised an eyebrow, genuinely perplexed by Caleb's attitude. "You think I'm playing games with you?" After everything that had happened, he thought she was playing games?

Caleb looked at her, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Moderation is key. Yes, you have changed a lot in the past three years, but it doesn't mean the tactics you used on other men can be applied to me."

Her world felt like it was crumbling. What was he talking about?

"What does it have to do with you?" she retorted.

"I don't care, but don't employ those tactics with me in the future. I don't have the time to engage in such games," Caleb stated firmly, his face grim as he picked up his fork and began to eat.

He had claimed he was here to accompany her for lunch, yet this was his attitude? And what did he mean by speaking in such a gloomy tone about spoiling?

Alina's mind was in disarray. She stared at the man elegantly eating in front of her, unable to react for a long time.

Noticing Alina's hesitation to touch her fork, Caleb hesitated as well, then finally picked up a piece of beef and placed it in her small bowl.

In that instant, Alina became alert. She looked at the small bowl as if it were the food on the table of Werland Villa. Her scalp tingled, and a numbing sensation ran through her.

Without a second thought, she swept the small bowl off the table, sending it crashing to the floor. Lucy and the butler were shocked at the sight, as they had never seen Alina throw such a tantrum before.

Caleb heard the piercing sound and his face grew stern once again, as he surveyed the shattered fragments on the ground. Alina's eyes met his, filled with a newfound intensity and coldness. Cold sweat trickled down her pale face, and her body trembled in that moment.

"What game are you playing now?" she quivered, her voice filled with anger.

Alina stood up and pointed angrily towards the door. "Get the hell out of here," she demanded.

"Caleb," he uttered, his patience evidently wearing thin with Alina.

However, Alina seemed unable to hear his voice. "I told you to get lost right now," she repeated with anger.

In an instant, Caleb shot up and fiercely pinched Alina's chin with his slender fingers. "Alina, you've caused me enough trouble, no more..."

"Mr. Collins, please let go of Lady Alina," Lucy intervened, witnessing the situation and quickly stepping in to protect Alina, positioning herself between them.

"Can't you see that something is wrong with Lady Alina?" Lucy pleaded, her eyes filled with heartache and concern.

Caleb's sanity gradually returned, and he managed to suppress his anger. He looked at Lucy standing protectively behind Alina and noticed that she was still trembling uncontrollably, especially the cold sweat on her face—nothing about her appeared staged or fake.

Pushing Lucy aside, Caleb approached Alina. "Mr. Collins," Lucy began, but Caleb interrupted her, cutting off her words.

"Call the doctor immediately," he commanded, raising his voice and startling Lucy. Seeing Alina's visibly deteriorating condition, Lucy quickly turned to fulfill Caleb's request and summoned the family doctor.

As Caleb's strong arms lifted her, Alina felt as though her world was about to crumble. In a surge of rage, she slapped him hard across the face.

Caleb sensed her trembling within his embrace and carried her directly to his room. "Let go of me, let go," Alina kept struggling, and eventually Caleb released his grip on her.

As soon as she was free, Alina retreated to the other side of the room, warily watching Caleb as she continued to tremble. She spoke with a fierce determination, "Caleb, if you hurt me again, I'll kill you."

Her anger roared through her, and Caleb, in that moment, finally understood why she reacted the way she did—because of what happened three years ago.

The moment he had fed her, it reminded her of the gentleness she experienced from Caleb at Werland Villa. However, she didn't realize that behind that mask of tenderness lay a hardening poison.

If the rainy night when she was eighteen was a nightmare for her, then three years ago, this man was also her nightmare. It was the man she fought against with everything she had. No one understood the strength it took for her heart to confront him and resist him.

But even with time passing, certain memories remained painful and could not be suppressed. They were like old wounds that were reopened, causing even more agony.

The doctor arrived promptly. Alina was exhausted and soon fell asleep.

Outside the room, the doctor sighed. "Avoid any further stimulation. She may appear fine, but her heart condition will be with her for a lifetime."

As time passed, the shadows gradually faded, but certain memories were not easily forgotten. When they resurfaced, it was as if an old scabbed wound had been torn open, intensifying the pain.

Caleb furrowed his brow and peered inside at Alina, realizing that her strong reaction was due to the events of three years ago.