Chapter 9
I winced as shards of glass cut into my hand and leg, blood trickling from the fresh wounds.
Pain shot through me, but it was nothing compared to the humiliation I felt under the weight of their judgmental stares.
“Move aside, all of you!” Gale‘ s commanding voice broke through the
murmurs.
He pushed his way through the crowd, his face tense as he hurried toward me. For a fleeting moment, I thought he might finally care about my well–being.
But before he could reach me, Lilian suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach.
“Ah! It hurts!” she cried out dramatically, her voice piercing through the tense atmosphere. Within seconds, she fainted, her body falling backward.
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Gale immediately changed course, catching Lilian before her head hit the ground. He cradled her as if she were fragile porcelain, shouting for someone to call a doctor.
I stood frozen, blood pooling around my feet. He did not even glance in my direction.
Summoning all the strength I had left, I pushed myself to my feet, ignoring the pain.
That was when Gale‘ s mother appeared with several guards. Her face was pale with worry as she took in the sight of me.
“Oh, Rachel! That must hurt a lot. Come with me,” she said, gesturing to the guards to assist me. “Rest in my room. I’ve already called the family doctor to treat you.”
Once inside her room, the doctor treated my wounds while I sat silently, holding back tears.
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After he left, Gale’s mother pulled a chair beside me, her concern evident in her
“Rachel, is there anything else that hurts?” she asked softly.
1 shook my head, struggling to find my voice. “It’s not that…” I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.
eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I finally gathered the courage to speak. “Mrs. Doughlas… I‘ ve been offered a scholarship to study in Italy, and I’ve decided to accept it. I’ll be leaving for a few years to pursue my master’s degree.”
Her expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and sadness crossing her face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I continued, my voice trembling. “But this is something I’ve dreamed of for so long.”
My words faltered as tears welled up in my
eyes.
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There was so much more I wanted to say, so many truths I had hidden for too long. But before I could continue, she pulled me into a gentle hug.
“You don’t have to say it,” she
whispered. “I know you must be sad to see
Lilian return and even sadder to see
Gale‘ s attention shift back to her.”
Her understanding broke something inside me, and I began to cry.
She held me tighter. “I didn‘ t expect Lilian to be so bold, chasing Gale like this. It’s shameless. And Gale…” She sighed deeply. “He should know better. I can’t imagine how disappointed you must be.”
I nodded silently, unable to stop the tears streaming down my face.
She pulled back and looked at me with a soft smile. “Fine then. If this is what you want, go. Maybe a few years in Italy will give you the peace you need.
“Just remember, Rachel, I’m always here
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to support you. I’ll be waiting to see the amazing work you create while you‘ re away.”
Her kindness overwhelmed me. I managed a small nod, my gratitude too immense to put into words.
“Oh, right,” she added as if remembering. something important. “You want me to keep your passport, but I think it’s time I
gave
it back. You‘ re free now, Rachel. Even if Gale is my son, it’s clear that I can‘ t defend him anymore.”
She handed me my passport, and for the first time, I felt like I could truly breathe.
“Thank you,” I whispered, clutching the small book like a lifeline.
As I left her room, Gritte approached me with a small package. “This is medicine. Gale asked me to give you,” she said. bluntly. “I didn’t want to, but after the steakhouse incident, I felt a little guilty.”
“Thanks,” I replied curtly. But then I said
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again before going to enter the taxi,
“Gritte, I will divorce him and leave
anyway. So, please tell him to sign it to make our divorce official.”
Hearing that, Gritte‘ s blank face
immediately brightened, “Oh,
congratulations then. I will tell him later about your message.”
She hesitated, then added, “You know… I think it’s good that you‘ re leaving. You don’t need to worry about being my sister–in–law anymore.
I blinked at her, surprised. “Well, you got
your wish.”
“Good,” she said simply.
I nodded and walked away, my heart. lighter than it had been in years.
That night, I took my belongings and arranged everything with Gale’s mother to ensure my departure was swift and seamless.
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When I arrived at the airport, I discarded my phone number‘ s card, cutting the final ties that bound me to Gale and his
world.
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