After leaving the Steward Mansion, Channing went to Winnie.
He stood at the door and rang the doorbell for a long time. Finally, Fiona, the assistant of Winnie, opened the door.
She only opened the door a little and poked her head out. "Are you looking for Winnie? She is not feeling very well and has fallen asleep..."
Channing said, "I just want to see her."
But Fiona still pressed her feet against the door and didn't let him in. She seemed to be slightly hesitant, yet didn't know how to refuse.
After they stood at the door for a while, Fiona said hesitantly, "Why don't you go back first? Winnie doesn't want to see you..."
Channing pursed his thin lips and stood there in silence.
After a short while, he said, "I'll wait here for her until she wants to see me."
After that, Channing turned around and stood beside the wall.
Fiona closed the door and looked at the person standing not far away. "Winnie, he won't leave..."
Winnie leaned against the wall with a pale face. She replied softly, "I know."
"How about meeting him?"
Winnie didn't respond to that but said, "You can go back now. I'll be fine. Thank you for the past two days."
The assistant was still worried about her, but when she thought about that Channing was outside, she grabbed her bag and said, "Then I'll be
back tomorrow morning. Remember to take your medicine. Don't let your wound get inflamed."
"I see."
After the assistant left, Winnie walked to the door and stood there. Through the screen, she quietly watched Channing standing outside.
When the accident happened to him, she was engulfed in fear and desperation that she desperately wanted to see him.
But now, when she saw that he was fine, those photos came back like a surging tide, completely swallowing her and making her unable to
breathe.
How could she face him again?
In the room, Winnie had been standing in front of the screen, while Channing occasionally leaned against or squatted by the wall.
He didn't leave.
After an unknown period of time, Winnie heard the pattering sound of the rain outside. She looked out of the window and saw the rain trickling
down through the glass.
Ten minutes later, the door opened.
Channing turned his head around and stood up.
Winnie said, "Come in.
"
Channing followed her into the room.
When Winnie was about to hand a glass of water to Channing, she found herself trapped in the gap between the dining table and the cupboard by
him.
Channing put his hands on the table, lowered his head, and said in a hushed voice, "I'm sorry."
Winnie turned her head away and put down the glass of water. "You don't need to apologize to me. That's all my..."
"Let it pass, shall we?"
When Winnie met his gaze again, she forced a wry smile. "You mind about it, do you?"
Channing frowned slightly. "That's not what I mean."
Winnie said in a calm voice. "You must have seen those photos. I am not as good as you think, and I am not worthy of your love. You deserve a
girl who is younger and better, and purer than me..."
"I told you, that's not what I meant. “Channing interrupted her and said word by word, "I don't mind."
Tear came to Winnie's eyes. She said louder. "But I do. Do you know how I've been these two days? As soon as I close my eyes, I see you being
taken away by the police. Those photos..."
In a tremble voice, Winnie said. "My mind is filled with the scenes of Chassell giving those photos to you! Channing, let's leave it at that. I'm
really tired. You're still young and there are so many girls who like you. Find someone suitable for you, and as for me, I should return to my own
life."
"Who is suitable for me?"
Channing replied with a question, staring at her without blinking. "For me, the person I like is the most suitable one. No one can make the
decision for me."
Winnie closed her eyes and said, "Chan, have you ever thought about it? If it weren't for Clarence and your father, would you still be able to
stand here? Your confidence comes from them. Other than that, what else do you have?"
Channing did not say anything and pursed his lips tightly.
Winnie continued, "But on the contrary, you were capable to make your own choice before you met me. But after that, you were dragged in
these shits one after another."
"Haven't you noticed? You're handling your own life with ease.
However, you can't help me with anything without them."
"Give me a little more time, and I can do..."
"There is no time. What happened this time is the example, which proves that I am not suitable for you."
Winnie looked at him and said slowly, "Didn't you ask me to play with you? Now, I've had my fun. So, let's never meet again."
Channing stared at her. "I don't accept it."
Winnie slowly pushed him aside, took a few steps to the side, then turned around to face him and untied the rope of her nightdress.
The silk fabric slid down her smooth skin. She lowered her eyes and her eyelashes trembled violently. "Anyway, we have done what we should
do but this last step. I really don't have much to make up for you. Let's do it once, which can be regarded as..."
The last sentence was stuck in her throat and she couldn't say it no matter how hard she tried.
Channing looked a little tense, but he didn't say anything. He bent over and picked the nightdress on the ground up, put it back on her, and
fastened the rope. "You know, if it were because of this, I wouldn't have waited until now."
Winnie said, "Perhaps, as soon as you see my body, the first thing that comes to your mind is the photos that Chassell showed you?"
Channing paused and said in a low voice, "I know you've been with him before. I'm mentally prepared."
From beginning to end, he was not angry at all, and did not intend to give up. He even kept a low profile.
However, the kinder and the more insistent he was, the guiltier Winnie felt.
What had she done to deserve such a good man?
She was the one who was wrong.
And she should be the one to bear the consequences.
Winnie spoke hoarsely, "Don't you know? I think you're childish, impetuous, and reckless. You don't care about the consequences and will only
encumber others! You're young now. With your father and Clarence cleaning up your mess, you still have a bright future, but what about me? I
have nothing. I fought for everything I have now on my own. I don't want to have nothing because of you, do you understand?"
Channing retracted the hand tying the pajamas rope and said, "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to feel sorry for me! You should feel sorry for yourself, for all the people who are worried about you! “Winnie said, "I'm going
to another city for filming next week and won't be back for months. I hope you can sort it out. I'm getting older, and I'll find a suitable person to
marry. That's it. Let's go our separate ways."
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