Chapter 6
“Mom, Dad, do you really have to push Elsie to the edge?”
“And you, Cecile! Every time Elsie sees you, her emotions spiral out of control. You‘ re a disaster!”
“Stay away from us. I don‘ t want to ever see you again!”
“Elsie, come down. We can work this out,” Charles pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation.
But just then, Elsie’s ex–boyfriend
appeared at the door, flanked by a group of
men. His eyes shot up to the balcony where
Elsie stood.
“You filthy woman, so this is where you’ve been hiding!” he shouted.
“You left me to rot in a hospital bed with a broken leg and now you‘ re just moving on like nothing happened!”
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Chapter 6
Chapter 6
“Mom, Dad, do you really have to push Elsie to the edge?”
“And you, Cecile! Every time Elsie sees you, her emotions spiral out of control. You‘ re a disaster!”
“Stay away from us. I don’t want to ever see you again!‘
“Elsie, come down. We can work this out,” Charles pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation.
But just then, Elsie’s ex–boyfriend
appeared at the door, flanked by a group of
men. His eyes shot up to the balcony where Elsie stood.
“You filthy woman, so this is where you’ve been hiding!” he shouted.
“You left me to rot in a hospital bed with a broken leg and now you‘ re just moving on like nothing happened!”
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Chapter 6
He turned to the men behind him and
barked out orders.
“Get her! Beat her senseless! I’ll take the blame, no matter what happens!”
Charles stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief, before turning to Elsie.
“This isn’t what you told me. You lied to me!”
The tears that had stained Elsie‘ s face moments ago were gone, replaced by panic.
“It’s not what you think, Charles! Please, help me!” she cried, but before she could finish, one of the men slapped her hard, leaving bright red handprints on her
cheeks.
The balcony erupted into chaos; shouting, swearing and screaming filled the air as the scene spun wildly out of control.
I stood there, watching the madness unfold, but my lips remained sealed. With
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a quiet sigh, I turned on my heel and left.
“Goodbye, Charles. Just as you wanted. I hope we never meet again.”
Back at my apartment, I packed my bags that night, determined to leave it all behind. Not a second longer would I stay in that suffocating place.
I had already handed in my resignation at the civil affairs office and my duties were done. The visit to the Laurier house had been the final chapter and I was done with it all.
When I stepped through the door, my parents were waiting for me, their faces a blend of concern and relief. Seeing them there, I realized just how foolish I had been, leaving home and taking a distant job, all for a love that turned out to be nothing but a mirage.
After I shared everything with my father, he gave my shoulder a reassuring pat.
“It’s good you‘ re back, silly girl. If you
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had stayed, who would have carried on the family business?”
My mom joined in, her voice soft and understanding.
“Your Uncle Percy‘ s son mentioned you a few days ago. I turned him down then.”
She paused, a smile tugging at her lips.
“Give it a few days and I’ll get his contact information for you two to connect.”
I didn’t object.
Having completely let go of my past, I figured there was no harm in meeting
someone new.
I didn’t even have the chance to add him on social media before meeting him face-
to–face.
Standing before me was Jasper, exuding confidence and charm. My once–broken heart seemed to stir as if awakening from a long slumber.
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“Aunt Cora must‘ ve mentioned me. Hi, Cecile, I’m Jasper Young. Just call me Jasper.”
“I’ve liked you for a long time. When I heard you had a boyfriend, I was heartbroken.”
“But when I heard you‘ d broken up…
His sudden confession made me blush deeply.
99
I’d always been the one chasing after Charles. This was the first time I’d felt such straightforward, passionate affection from someone else.
After that charming first encounter, Jasper and I started spending more and more time together.
I could feel my feelings for him growing stronger with each passing day.
At the same time, I seamlessly eased into working for the family business, learning the ropes one step at a time.
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Chapter 6
The unpleasant memories of the past faded quickly as if they had never existed.
So, I was caught off guard when I saw Charles again so soon.
He looked like a shadow of his former self, thinner and worn. Though he wore a suit and had his hair neatly styled, his exhaustion was unmistakable.
I couldn’t help but be taken aback by his appearance.
I had assumed that after I left, he would go on to live a happy life with Elsie.
After all, in his heart, Elsie, always the
“unwell” one, had always held a place
more important than mine.
