Chapter 4
But in the next breath, his focus shifted, and he turned away, desperately asking passing strangers if they had seen me.
He hadn’t noticed me at all.
Without missing a beat, I rolled the window up and gave the driver a firm command.
“Take me to the airport.”
By the time Ruslan thought to call, I was already one step ahead. I knew he had most likely installed tracking software on my phone.
To sever the last string of his control, I had already switched out my SIM card and phone.
When he dialed, he‘ d only be met with a
“number not valid” message.
Soon enough, I boarded the plane.
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Chapter 4
As I gazed down at the sprawling city.
below, I felt as if the chains that had bound me were finally broken.
But just when I thought I was free,
Ruslan’s influence stretched farther than
I had ever imagined.
The moment the plane touched down, his call came through.
I hesitated for a brief moment before answering.
As soon as the call connected, Ruslan‘ s voice shot through the line, full of accusation.
“Aurelle, you’ve really crossed the line this time!”
“Leaving the hospital just to throw a tantrum? And deactivating your phone number? Do you know how much time and money it took me to track down your new number?”
His words came sharp and biting, harsher
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Chapter 41
than anything he had said in years.
But as he ranted, breathless with
frustration, he soon realized I hadn‘ t said
a word.
Panic crept into his voice.
“Aurelle?”
“Alright, maybe I was too hasty. Don’t take it personally. Please come back. I haven’t seen you all day, and I miss you so. much.”
He continued desperation, lacing his
words.
“I even had Thea make your favorite corn and pork rib soup. It’ll be waiting for you when you come home tonight.”
But I didn’t falter. My reply was short and
final.
“I’m not coming back. Not ever again.”
Ruslan’s smile froze, the laughter quickly dying in his throat.
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Chapter 4
For a moment, he was silent before forcing
a chuckle.
“Aurelle, today isn’ t April Fool‘ s. You‘ re not serious.”
But my tone was ice. “I’m not joking.”
His forced smile vanished completely, and a cold silence stretched between us.
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