Three Years Paralyzed, Watching Him Love Her

Chapter 4

But in the next breath, his attention snapped away from me, and he started asking passing strangers, frantic, if they'd seen me.

He didn't even notice me.

Without hesitation, I rolled the window up and gave the driver a curt command.

"Take me to the airport."

By the time Ruslan thought to call, I was already a step ahead. I knew he'd likely put some kind of tracking on my phone.

So, I'd already switched out my SIM card and phone.

When he dialed, he'd only hear a "number not valid" message.

Minutes later, I was on the plane.

As I looked out the window at the sprawling city below, it felt like the invisible chains that had held me captive for so long were finally snapping.

But just when I thought I was free, I realized that Ruslan's influence reached farther than I ever imagined.

The moment the plane landed, his call came through.

I hesitated for just a second before answering.

The second I picked up, his voice blasted through the line, furious and accusing.

"Aurelle, you've really crossed the line now!"

"Leaving the hospital like that? Deactivating your phone number? Do you have any idea how much time and money I've spent tracking you down?"

His words were sharp, colder than anything he'd ever said to me before.

But I stayed silent.

Panic was starting to creep into his voice.

"Aurelle?"

After a long pause, he softened, his desperation creeping in. "Okay, maybe I was too hasty. Don't take it the wrong way. Please come back. I haven't seen you all day... I miss you. So much."

His voice was pleading now, practically dripping with desperation.

"I even had Thea make your favorite corn and pork rib soup. It'll be waiting for you when you come home tonight."

But I didn't budge. My reply was clear, final.

"I'm not coming back. Not ever again."

I could almost hear his smile freeze on the other end of the line. The words he wanted to say got caught in his throat.

For a long, tense beat, there was nothing but silence before he forced a laugh, trying to cover up his panic.

"Aurelle, today's not April Fool's. You can't be serious."

But my tone was colder than ice. "I'm not joking."

His fake smile vanished completely, and the silence that followed felt like a heavy weight between us.