< Chapter 13
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Chapter 13
Vaughn Sterling stood frozen, watching me walk away. He felt as if he had been nailed to the spot, powerless to move.
He closed his eyes in agony. My cold, determined face was the only thing he could see.
I said I wanted him dead.
I must have hated him with every fiber of her being. How else could the girl who once looked at him with so much love say something like that?
It hadn’t even been a year, yet it felt like he had lost me an eternity ago.
Thinking about the other man by my side, Vaughn slammed his fist into the pavement in a fit of rage.
His knuckles were soon a bloody mess.
He had never imagined a day where I would be with anyone but him.
I belonged to him. Even when he was planning to break up with me, he never once envisioned me in another man’s arms.
If he had realized he loved me sooner, would things have ended up like this?
Vaughn’s eyes were filled with deep regret.
He was going to win me back.
Unless he died, he would never allow me to be with anyone else!
I’m fine. Don’t worry,” I said, giving Leander Roth a faint smile. “Thank you for the birthday celebration. I’m sorry it was ruined.”
‘Don’t apologize.” Leander looked at me with concern. He didn’t ask about what had just happened. “If you’re comfortable with it, et me take you home.”
My heart was still racing from the intense confrontation. I nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”
sat in Leander’s car, the faint scent of his cologne filling the air.
He… he’s my ex-boyfriend.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh and summarized my history with Vaughn Sterling in a few short entences. “He lied to me for three years and indirectly caused my father’s death. I don’t understand… how someone like that has he nerve to even stand in front of me.”
Leander’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He couldn’t believe that man had caused me so much pain.
He looked at the girl in the passenger seat, his heart aching. He wanted to comfort me, but the words felt inadequate.
Deceived for years, losing a parent… such heavy blows were too cruel for anyone to bear.
Especially for an eighteen-year-old girl.
He suddenly felt a wave of hatred for Vaughn Sterling.
Why didn’t he cherish her? Why did he have to hurt her like this?
Leander looked at me, a deep sense of protectiveness washing over him. He wanted to solve all my problems, share my pain, and make me smile again…
Was this what it felt like to actually like someone?
‘If you ever need help, I’m always here,” Leander said, his eyes fixed on me. “Happy birthday. I’m sure your father would want you to be happy today.”
My nose stung, and tears began to pour down my face.
16:27
< Chapter 13
The car stopped in front of my apartment building.
Thank you for the ride. My eyes were red and swollen. Drive safe.”
Leander watched me leave. He stared at my small, fragile back until I vanished inside.
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The next morning.
As soon as I walked out of the building, my face darkened. A familiar figure was standing just a few yards away.
“Elara…” Vaughn Sterling jogged over, looking nervous and awkward. “Have you had breakfast? I remember you used to love the food from the Sunrise Bakery. I tried to make it myself. See if you like it.”
He held out a thermal container. Inside were croissants, clam chowder, and a serving of bright yellow scrambled eggs.
‘I had to try making them a few times. They look a little ugly, but I tasted them and the flavor is-”
‘Crash!
Before Vaughn could finish his sentence, I slammed the food heavily onto the ground.
The hot clam chowder spilled everywhere.
“Vaughn Sterling, stop bothering me. Can’t you take a hint?” I closed my eyes. There is absolutely no chance of us ever getting back together.”
Vaughn stood there, looking defeated. His eyes grew watery, and his voice was practically a plea. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry…”
‘I know nothing I do can erase the damage I caused. But I really can’t live without you.” He started to reach out to hug me but slowly pulled his hand back. “Every single day we were apart, I missed you. I hate myself for realizing I loved you so late. If I could turn back time, I would never do those things. I would treat you so well…”
I had no patience left to listen to him. “Vaughn, you don’t have to pretend to be some tragic, devoted lover. You’re just not used to losing. I’m nothing more than a convenient tool for your lust…”
‘No! That’s not it!” Vaughn interrupted frantically.
‘Listen to me. I will never, ever forgive a bastard who killed my father and used me for three years!”
With that, I got into the car and headed to the training center.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Vaughn crouched dejectedly on the ground. He was pounding his own head with his fists.
After class, I stopped by a nearby stationery store.
By the time I came out, the sky was pitch black.
I walked toward the bus stop. Suddenly, a man in a baseball cap grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth and nose.
‘Mmm-! My eyes widened in terror as I felt a cold sensation against my neck.
A blade was pressed against my skin, sending a sharp sting through my nerves.
The money is in my bag,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
‘Sweetheart, I don’t want money. I want you,” the man said in a low, playful voice against my ear.
My skin crawled. I struggled instinctively, but the movement caused the knife to slice into my skin.
“Behave!” the man hissed, pinning me down as he reached for my pants.
I bit down hard on his wrist. In the next second, he grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked.
“You dare bite me?” The man shoved me onto the ground and climbed on top of me.
16:27
< Chapter 13
Help! Mmm- My mouth was clamped shut.
felt his hand sliding across my stomach, moving lower and lower….
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closed my eyes in despair, ready to drive the knife at my throat into my own artery. Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out.
Elara-!”
