?


    "Nichs, you''re absolutely unreasonable!"


    My teeth were chattering as I spoke. "It''s only a matter of time before I end up with someone else. Even if it''s not Pete, there''ll be another man. Are you going to kill someone every time I start a new rtionship?


    "Why is it that you can have all the women you want, but I can''t have my own happiness? You should not take a life because of me-N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Before I could finish, he cut me off with a faintugh, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke.


    "Is this how awyer speaks? What do you mean by ''kill someone''? Should I pull up the surveince footage from my office as my alibi? I''m aw-abiding citizen."


    "You''re absolutely out of your mind!"


    There was a hint of disappointment in Nichs''s eyes. "It has nothing to do with you. Go ahead and enjoy your rtionship.


    He added, "I hope you never have to call me again."


    I would never call him again. There was no way I could be with someone so ruthless. Absolutely impossible! After hanging up, I still felt uneasy. Even when Dous took me to the hospital, my mind was elsewhere.


    By the afternoon, there was no trace of the incident at the building. The ground had been scrubbed clean as if nothing had ever happened.


    If it weren''t for the workers nging away, I''d have thought it a dream. They were recing the top-floor sign with Brilliant Group''s logo.


    Brilliant Group''s representatives came to the hotel. They invited Dous and me to their banquet, saying I was their key to sess.


    I shook my head and nced at Dous, worried. "I didn''t do anything."


    Dous understood my concern. However, he seemed pleased as he had done nothing and still earned a heftymission. He walked away with the representatives,ughing and chatting.


    Alone in the hotel, I tried to video call Pete, but the call was immediately declined. Five minutester, he called back, clearly in a bathroom.


    "If you''re busy, we can talkter," I said with an awkwardugh. We weren''t close enough for him to livestream his bathroom time.


    He raised an eyebrow and tilted the camera downward. I screamed and covered my eyes, while Pete burst outughing.


    The next moment, he tumed serious. "I''m home. I didn''t want them to see me calling you, so I hid. But this will be thest time. Once I settle everything, I''lle find you.


    "There are some changes here. I don''t need to stay here any longer. I think I can head to Lexton City ahead of you." I lifted my chin to show him my neck.


    ''It''s just a surface wound. The doctor said I don''t even need to go back after this dressing change. It''s nothing serious. Why don''t we go together?


    "We can check out the house you got me, pick out some furniture, and decorate it together. How about that?" I was looking forward to our new home. Moving to a new city, it was impossible not to feel a bit excited.


    Our families had been close for generations, so I had spent a lot of time with Pete''s family growing up. I had some feelings for his parents too.


    As a divorced woman who had a miscarriage, I understood their feelings about me being with their son. I didn''t want Pete to push things too far with them.


    As for me, even if I wanted to make a scene with my own parents, I no longer had the chance.


    "Give me a week. I promise I''lle to you in a week."