Chapter 142: Behind All Facades XII

"You're awake."

Wynter furrowed her brows when she heard a voice a few seconds after she opened her eyes in an unfamiliar room.

She did not see anyone.

"It's Bea. I'm by the bedside table, in a video call."

She slowly moved her head, and at the top of the bedside table was a tablet where Beatrice's face was present, looking at her with a gentle smile.

"I was saved," Wynter said, not questioning it but speaking of it.

"You were," Beatrice replied.

Wynter sighed heavily, "I am."

It felt surreal.

She bet on Shawn that he would save her.

And he actually did, he saved her from that place.

She, who pushed him away in the past.

Somehow, guilt crept into her heart.

She would have been able to leave without asking for his help or his family at that. But it would have been more dangerous and time-consuming.

'I used him,' she bitterly thought.

She clenched her hands into fists, 'I used his family. This is no different from my family.'

"I don't know what you are thinking about. But Shawn told us to say this to you, he was very happy that you asked for his help," Beatrice spoke, seeing her stare blankly at the ceiling.

She felt like this was what she needed to say.

Wynter slowly looked back at her.

"He will be the one to tell you what he truly feels, but while we were all discussing who will stay with you. He said these words…"

-FLASHBACK-

"I have a feeling that once she wakes up, she will think about how she used me in order to leave that place," Shawn said as they started talking about who will watch over her.

"She is used to doing things alone most of the time. Not leaning on anyone, or maybe there is someone, but I doubt there would be a lot of them."

Somehow, the others couldn't help but to silently agree.

"When she wakes up and one of you is watching over her, tell her that she did not use me. Instead, she asked for help, and I lent it to her. My family lent it to her. And that, as her friend, I am happy that I was able to help her."

-END OF FLASHBACK-

Wynter, who had control of her emotions all too well, felt a lump in her throat.

When was the last time that there was someone else who was happy that they helped her?

"I see," was all she could say.

Beatrice smiled sadly.

This is Wynter Morgrave.

The lady who could make people turn their heads when she passed by.

The person who had perfected every look as long as she willed it.

A perfect smile that could captivate anyone.

The coolness that could attract even the ladies.

That is why, looking at how she controls her emotions, Beatrice couldn't help but smile sadly.

"What do you mean by watching over?" Wynter asked after a while.

"Well, we all had the same thoughts. We did not want you to wake up alone in a dark, empty room."

"…"

Wynter bit the inside of her mouth.

Though Beatrice could barely see her facial expression, she felt that Wynter must feel overwhelmed.

"You know, Wynter. You don't have to control your emotions right now. If you are relieved, then be relieved. If you feel like crying, then go on. Cry, Wynter."

Wynter moved her head to the other side as a tear slid down her cheek.

Beatrice smiled and said nothing more.

After a while, she noticed that Wynter seemed to have fallen asleep again.

"Sleep now, Wynter. You are free from them."

…

When Wynter opened her eyes again, the room was already bright due to the sun shining from the outside.

"What do you feel?"

She looked to the side and saw Shawn.

"I am the next one to watch over you. Well, Gabriel is with me, but he went out to buy some breakfast for us three," he said.

"Don't you have classes?"

"It seems you are unaware, but it is the weekend. And we have no classes during the weekend."

Wynter blinked before nodding in understanding.

After a while.

"Thank you," she then started.

"Even though you are already aware, I also wish to apologize for getting you involved. I heard even your family was involved. I'm-"

"Don't apologize. You may have asked me for help, but it was my decision whether I would help you or not. It was my decision how I would do it, asking for my parents' help or doing it alone."

"…I used you. In the end, that is the truth," she looked at him with a deep frown.

"You're feeling guilty, aren't you?"

She flinched.

"I can tell you have other ways of leaving that way. If not, you won't be as independent and detached as you were as Wynter Morgrave and Harmony Thomas."

"…"

"But as smart as you are, you chose the best option for yourself."

"…"

"You don't have to be guilty because you did not point a gun at me to make me help you. You weren't also the first one to approach me, to befriend me to make use of me and my background. I was the first one to approach you."

"…"

"I was the one who kept pestering you to be my friend."

"…"

"So, just lessen that burden in your heart. You are already carrying too much for you to even add this trivial thing."

"It is not trivial. These family matters are not trivial."

"The trivial thing I am talking about is you being guilty over this matter."

Wynter stared at him in complete confusion, her mind completely blank.