Chapter 7`
The LA media went crazy that day.
wwwww
Nobody expected Ruben–who was always known for being cold and heartless–to one day admit he was stuck in love.
And for me, he even forced the woman he used to love to become like a street rat–gone was the rich, adored beauty she used to be in LA.
Yet, I did not know any of this.
After I left with Bastien, I spent the next year learning programming from him step by step, turning what was just a hobby into my way of making a living.
Later, for me, he did not want to hide anymore. He stepped up, and an overseas tech company recruited him.
We joined the company as a husband–and–wife team.
I used my programming skills to teach classes and give new hope to girls who were stuck in messed–up families like I was.
One of my coworkers once joked with me, asking how I ended up with someone so quiet and serious like Bastien.
“Elise, you’re so smart and pretty. I bet you’ve got tons of good–looking guys chasing after you, right?
“Bastien is so stiff he doesn’t even crack a joke. Why do you like him?”
Right after he said that, it felt like someone had switched on the AC-
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cold air ran straight from his head to his toes.
When he turned around, he saw Bastien standing right there.
The coworker freaked out and backed away so he would not get caugh in the chill.
I was the only one who was not scared at all. I grabbed Bastien’s hand and smiled. “Let’s go home.”
However, Bastien frowned and hesitated. “Elise, I have some bad news
He looked like he had made a huge decision, and what he said next made my heart sink straight to the floor.
“Elise, that man knows you’re still alive.
“So it won’t be long before he finds you.”
I stayed quiet for a long time, then finally told him what I decided, “I’m not running this time. I want to protect you and our family.”
I did not want Bastien to keep living like a fugitive just because of me.
However, Bastien’s eyes turned red. “I thought you’d choose to go back to him. I…
“I’ve been hiding it from you. He’s been looking for you ever since we left.
“He never believed you were really dead.
“But I didn’t dare tell you. I was scared you’d go with him and leave me behind.”
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I hugged him tight, my eyes filling up with tears.
This idiot! How does he still not trust me enough?
I cupped his face and kissed him softly.
However, I said fiercely, “Bastien Malet, from the day you pulled me out of that hell, I’ve depended on you. Don’t even think about getting rid of me!”
”
Even though I thought I was ready, my face still went pale when I saw Ruben.
He was standing quietly in our house, looking around, his fingers brushing over a photo of me and Bastien, his eyes dark.
My hands and feet went cold, and my body wanted to run on instinct.
However, Bastien grabbed my hand and held me behind him, keeping me safe.
How did he even get into our house?
Ruben finally looked straight at me. There was anger in his dark eyes, but also this softness and longing I could not make sense of
Did he actually miss me?
“Elise, why aren’t you running?” Ruben smirked, his voice ice cold.
