5
Chapter
19 min left
The voice on the receiver suddenly became very noisy. Just as I was about to lose my patience completely, Jake spoke again.
“Ruby,” he swallowed, “Lacie just got into a car accident and was taken to the hospital. The doctors say they need someone to sign for her surgery. I’ll… I’ll just go sign the papers and then come find you. Don’t leave.”
Glancing at the time, I replied honestly, “Don’t bother. I’m about to board my flight. She needs you right now, doesn’t she?”
Through the receiver, his voice carried an artificial sob. “No, I swear I’ll be quick this time! I just need to sign the papers and I’ll come find you immediately. Don’t board the plane. Please give me a chance, I’m begging you!”
He always said things like this, but he never followed through.
In my previous life, when I needed help after clients forced me to drink at a work event, I called Jake in fear. He responded the same way then. He promised to pick me up, but after waiting in that tiny bathroom stall for half an hour, all I got were his
excuses.
He said, “Lacie has menstrual cramps. I need to take her to the hospital first. Just wait a bit longer. Besides, it’s not a big deal-
1/4
11:17
Chapter 5
you can just go home by yourself.”
19 min left
That night, I walked home in the bone–chilling wind, unable to understand why there was always a third person in our relationship.
Now I realize he never cared about my feelings.
Coming back to my senses, the car had already stopped near the airport. I didn’t dwell on those memories any longer and smiled with composure.
“Don’t bother, Jake. Don’t come looking for me.” With that, I turned off my phone completely.
This time, I wanted nothing more to do with him.
After arriving in the foreign country, I immediately found my advisor. He remembered me and, as promised, introduced me to the laboratory work.
For nearly six months, I was constantly busy. Every day, apart from eating and sleeping, I spent all my time in the lab and made many new friends.
They didn’t have any prejudice against me because of my nationality. Instead, they were extremely friendly, which helped me integrate quickly.
In my previous life, I had spent almost all my time on Jake,
2/4
11:17
Chapter 5
19 min left
trying everything to please him. I had never experienced days like these–free, carefree, hanging out with friends.
This time, I finally knew what I wanted.
After living this peaceful life for a while, somehow Jake managed to find my new number abroad and kept sending me messages.
“Ruby, I miss you.”
“Life without you is unbearable. Ruby, can you tell me where you are? I want to see you, even if it’s just once.”
“Please respond. I’m dying of heartbreak.”
I didn’t reply to any of these messages, finding them nothing but annoying.
My mother told me that since the day of the wedding, Jake had frequently shown up at their house, begging them to tell him about me.
But my parents no longer saw him as someone they could entrust their daughter to, unlike in my previous life. They drove him away without mercy. Yet Jake wasn’t discouraged–he kept showing up at their doorstep every few days, to the point where they were considering moving.
I sighed for no particular reason, wondering why he was so
3/4
11:17
Chapter 5
persistent.
19 min left
A few days later, as I walked out of the laboratory, I was shocked to see Jake standing at the entrance.
Just as I thought I might be seeing things, my mother’s text came through.
“Ruby, Jake somehow found out your address abroad. Be careful. By the way, I heard Lacie is pregnant.”
Write your comment
ir Gifts
4/4
