Chapter 2039
She had already begged him.
Abner stood frozen, baffled for a good while, before he finally swallowed hard and then turned around, making his way out of the hospital. The door to the hospital room opened and then closed again.
Shirley slowly walked over to sit down on the bed, lifting her hand to look at her palm. This was the hand that had just hit Abner.
She let her eyelashes droop, a bitter smile on her face.
That day, she went straight home.
Two days later, the college entrance exams were over. She glanced at her phone screen, at the contact named Abner, doubting he would ever text again.
For the following weeks, Shirley lived in a daze, disregarding everything and temporarily stopping work.
Until James called with good news, saying that Abner had topped the city in the exams, becoming the valedictorian. The school was already planning to hang banners in his honor. "Shirley, aren't you coming? What's with that kid, such a big celebration and he's unreachable!"
Shirley lay in bed, feeling for a moment as if her legs had degenerated, incapable of walking.
She opened her mouth, unsure of what to say, brushed it off with a few words, and then hung up.
Strangely, more than a month had passed since she ran away from her wedding, and there had been no word from the Albright family, nor her parents.
Her thoughts drifted to the man who had appeared in the hospital room; he must have settled everything, right?
What was Abner doing now?
Had he gone back to the Olson family with that mysterious man?
Would they really never see each other again?
In the afternoon, when all the exam results were officially out, she made a rare trip to the local supermarket. While picking up some instant noodles, she overheard two parents chatting. "So, this year's valedictorian declined interviews?"
"Seems like even the teachers can't find him, no idea where he went."
"Didn't apply to Solstice College? Is he planning to study abroad?"
"His photo was published though, such a handsome kid. If my daughter could find a boyfriend like that..."
Shirley froze, grabbing another cup of noodles. She hadn't eaten much over the past two weeks, noticeably losing weight.
She was happy for Abner's achievement, yet felt an emptiness inside.
The kid she had brought down from the mountains had finally taken flight, but they were no longer connected.
It was as if that rainy night's menacing figure was just an illusion.
Lately, Shirley had pondered a lot.
Abner's behavior that night was too out of character, his skills too refined, considering the Albright family's bodyguards were alb professionally trained.
It proved that Abner had known about his lineage for some time but had chosen not to tell her.
This kid, he had carried much more than she did.
She wasn't a responsible adult, and she had let down his trust.
After paying, Shirley felt a sourness in her eyes.
As she entered the elevator, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
That night, she barely touched her noodles, staring at the chat history with Abner that remained unchanged.
She dared not send a message, haunted by the mysterious man's warning.
If Abner chose to stay, he would end up in jail.
The Olson family's power was beyond her imagination.
Abner's future was promising yet perilous.
But in Shirley's heart, he would always be that courteous young boy from the mountains.
She sat in the living room until late into the night, unsure of what to do.
Then, she left for a bar.
Rarely visiting such places, the blaring music made her feel less alone.
After several drinks, finding them bitter and uninteresting, she rejected several men's advances and headed home, her shadow stretched long under the streetlights.
Upon exiting the taxi, she saw a figure waiting at the entrance of her complex, her heart leaping with joy.
She almost ran towards him, but
she
Oser, she realized it yThis content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
Abner, just a man of similar
Her eyelashes drooped, and she sat on a bench in the complex, staring blankly at the streetlights.
Perhaps due to the dim environment, she saw Abner approaching her.
Her face was gently lifted.
"Shirley, I like you, I'll come for you."
Shirley reached out, wanting to touch his face.
But Abner was quicker, cradling her face and kissing her eyes.
"Hope you're not mad, consider this a parting gift."