Chapter 7
As the days passed, the constant bustle of life slowly washed away my lingering
sadness.
Meanwhile, my colleagues began to notice my unique flair for design.
Their compliments came often, and some even sought my advice.
I shared everything I knew, offering guidance without hesitation.
My life had settled into a rhythm, home
and the office.
I had bought an apartment just a few hundred meters away, making the walk
between the two short and effortless.
Before long, a promotion came my way, and no one objected. My talent and hard work spoke for themselves.
To celebrate, my colleagues threw a party in my honor. Though I wasn‘ t one for
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such gatherings, their excitement was infectious, and I found myself relaxing.
But on my way home one evening, fate had other plans.
“Aurelle…”
The voice was drenched in pity, so familiar that I didn’t need to think twice; it was instinct.
Without a second thought, I took a step back, distancing myself.
Coldly, I asked, “How did you find me?”
Ruslan’s face twisted into a more pitiful expression as he pouted.
“I don’t want a divorce. I’m not signing those ridiculous papers.”
The remainder of the divorce papers stung, and I recalled sending them from the office earlier.
He must have traced the return address to find me.
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such gatherings, their excitement was infectious, and I found myself relaxing.
But on my way home one evening, fate had other plans.
“Aurelle…”
The voice was drenched in pity, so familiar that I didn’t need to think twice; it was instinct.
Without a second thought, I took a step back, distancing myself.
Coldly, I asked, “How did you find me?”
Ruslan’s face twisted into a more pitiful expression as he pouted.
“I don’t want a divorce. I’m not signing those ridiculous papers.”
The remainder of the divorce papers stung, and I recalled sending them from the office
earlier.
He must have traced the return address to
find me.
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For a moment, I had completely forgotten about that possibility.
Snapping back to reality, I replied coldly,
“Fine, don‘ t sign it. We’ll settle this in court.”
At my words, Ruslan could no longer contain his fury.
“Aurelle,” he snapped, “Why are you making such a big deal out of something so trivial? How can you be so heartless?”
I let out a cold laugh, the sound sharp and
bitter.
“Heartless?”
“Do you think what I’m doing now is even a fraction of the cruelty you showed me?”
“For seven years, you controlled me, turning my life into a dull, suffocating existence.”
“The fact that I haven‘ t sought revenge on you speaks volumes about my kindness.
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Chapter 7
Do you remember how much I hated you when I found out you drugged me? At that moment, I’d never hated anyone more. You were the first and likely the last.”
As the words left my mouth, Ruslan crumbled before me, tears streaming down his face, his voice breaking.
“I’m sorry,” he sobbed. “It’s all my fault. I was wrong.”
“I was the cruel one, the shameless one.”
He kept slapping his own face as if trying to punish himself for his sins.
Soon, his cheeks were covered in red welts.
Under the glow of the streetlights, I noticed the flush on his cheeks, the unmistakable mark of too much alcohol.
As if to confirm my suspicion, he suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace, his grip unyielding.
The sharp scent of alcohol clung to him, filling the air around us.
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“Aurelle,” he slurred, his voice shaky with emotion, “You know I’m an orphan. I have no family, just you. Please don’t leave me. I’m so lonely…”
I could feel the dampness soaking into my shirt, a mix of his tears and snot.
But instead of pity, all I felt was a growing disgust.
Despite my efforts to push him away, his strength was too much for me.
After struggling for a while, I surrendered, exhaustion seeping into my bones.
“Ruslan,” I said flatly, “With your legendary tolerance for alcohol, stop pretending. It’s pathetic.‘
The moment the words left my lips, his tears stopped as if someone had flipped a switch.
In a sudden burst of defiance, he bit my
ear.
“Aurelle, I told you, you‘ re never leaving
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Chapter 7
- me. Not in this lifetime.”
“This country doesn‘ t suit you at all. You have to come back with me. I’ve already bought the tickets. Whether you like it or not, you‘ re coming with me this time.”
