Chapter 11
Half a month later, I moved into my new home–a luxury apartment in the city that cost me over five million dollars. The apartment was everything I had dreamed of: spacious, modern, and perched high above the bustling streets below. Finally, I had a place to call my own, a sanctuary where no one could intrude on my carefully constructed world.
Even after the hefty purchase, I still had three million dollars left in my account, more than enough to sustain my indulgent spending habits for the foreseeable future. That cushion of wealth became my confidence booster, a constant reminder that I had carved out a space for myself, independent of anyone else.
My parents hadn‘ t bothered me again, likely because Abigail had issued them a firm warning to leave me alone. I owed her a great deal of gratitude for that. Without
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her intervention, I wasn‘ t sure how I would have handled their overbearing presence in my life.
Regardless, I had come out of the ordeal unscathed–and richer than I had ever imagined. I had made a killing without sacrificing anything of real value.
I no longer allowed myself to dwell on Adrian Winslow. We were from two entirely different worlds, ones that could never intersect. He seemed to be thriving in his own life, and I saw no reason to disrupt his happiness with my lingering thoughts.
All I wanted now was to pass the civil service exam and secure a stable job- something that could fund my
comfortable, extravagant lifestyle without relying on anyone else.
For months, I threw myself into a relentless routine of eating, sleeping, and studying. My days blurred into nights as I burned the midnight oil, pushing myself to the brink
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of exhaustion.
Finally, after six months of tireless effort, my hard work paid off. I passed the local social security bureau exam with flying colors. Though the position I earned was modest–processing social security claims -it felt like a significant step forward. It was a starting point, and I was content to take things one step at a time.
That evening, I treated myself to a celebratory meal at my favorite barbecue spot. As fate would have it, I ended up burning my mouth on the tripe again.
The sharp sting jolted me back to a memory I hadn’t revisited in months. I froze, recalling how I had cried like a child the last time this happened, nearly half a year ago. For a brief moment, I spaced out, my mind replaying that strange, tearful
moment.
Why had I cried back then? Even children didn’t cry over something so trivial. It struck me as absurd now, yet the memory
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left an odd ache in my chest.
As I looked down at the offending piece of tripe, my eyes unexpectedly filled with tears again. I blinked them away, embarrassed by the sudden surge of
emotion.
That damn tripe.
After finishing the meal, I wandered the streets aimlessly, feeling a hollowness I couldn’t quite explain. I had seven million dollars to my name and an excellent job, yet I felt adrift, as though there was nothing left to strive for.
On an impulse, I boarded a bus heading toward Adrian‘ s villa. I didn’t know what I hoped to accomplish by going there, but my feet moved of their own accord.
The villa‘ s exterior was as grand as ever, its lights glowing warmly in the evening. I walked slowly along the familiar path in the neighborhood, my eyes drawn to the window that once felt like a portal to
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another life.
That window held so many memories. Adrian and I had stood there countless times, sharing quiet moments as the evening breeze drifted in. He used to tease me mercilessly, and though his
roughhousing occasionally left me
breathless, I had secretly cherished those moments.
Now, I stared at the empty window, unsure of what I was searching for. It remained vacant, lifeless.
Just as I turned to leave, a shadow moved inside. My breath caught as a figure appeared–a tall, commanding man with an air of cold elegance. His chiseled features were unmistakable, even in the dim light.
It was Adrian.
Our eyes met, and time seemed to freeze. For a moment, neither of us moved, locked in a silent exchange. His gaze was intense,
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piercing through the darkness as though he could see straight into my soul.
Panic gripped me. Without thinking, I turned and ran, my heart pounding in my chest.
I didn’t stop until I was out of the neighborhood, the cold night air stinging my face. Adrian didn’t chase after me. Perhaps he had lost sight of me, or maybe he hadn’t even recognized me in the first place.
As I walked home, an unbearable weight settled over me. What should have been a day of triumph felt empty, overshadowed by the strange, inexplicable encounter.
I couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in my chest, as though I had lost something precious without even realizing it.
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