“Stop dilly-dallying. We’ll explain back in J City!” Macy pried his hands off before we left the mall. We hailed a cab back to the hotel, packed up, and rushed to the airport at once.
Macy and I held hands tightly during the three-hour journey back to J City.
After getting off the plane, we took a cab back to Glenwood Apartments. Back there, she proceeded to lock all the doors and windows before collapsing in a corner dejectedly.
A heavy silence hung in the air. Finally, she met my gaze, her eyes red-rimmed. “Scarlett, what should we do?”
I shook my head. The fear still lingered within me, and I was at my wit’s end.
“He might not know we’re in J City. We might be safe here,” she continued. The next minute, she shook her head and wept. “We can’t hide from him. He’s an IT expert. It’s easy for him to find us!”
I stared at her wordlessly.
We both knew John wouldn’t let us off the hook easily this time. Back then, Macy and I had barely escaped from his clutches. If the same thing were to happen again, I wouldn’t have the courage to save myself.
“Get Ashton’s help!” Suddenly, Macy blurted out. “Scarlett, go to Ashton. He’s capable enough to protect you. Plus, you’re pregnant with his child. If you tell him everything, he’ll make sure John stays away from you.”
Macy grew increasingly excited and took my hand to leave her house.
I stopped her, my heart sinking. “Macy, calm down first. Let’s think of something after we calm down, alright?”
Macy shook her head and bit her lip fearfully. In the end, she burst out in tears and wrapped her arms around me tightly. “How can I calm down? Huh? I’ve already forgotten about the nightmares after five long years. Why did he show up? Why?”
With Macy in my embrace, my heart was aching in sorrow. I had the same thought, too—we wouldn’t meet him again, ever.
That night, Macy and I barely slept through the night. We kept jolting awake from the horrible nightmares.
Macy finally fell asleep at dawn. I couldn’t sleep, so I returned to the villa when the sun came up.
Macy was right. Ashton might be of help.
Nevertheless, I didn’t expect to be locked out of the villa. Previously, Ashton and I recorded our fingerprints so both of us could unlock the door at Peakville Estate.
This time, I tried a few times but failed to unlock the door. It took me a while to realize the lock had been changed.
I tried to call Ashton, but his line was busy. Obviously, he had blocked my number.
I didn’t know what was going on, so I went to the company instead. It was still early, so the building was practically empty.
The executives in the Finance Department used to welcome me warmly, but today they kept whispering behind my back.
My brows snapped together. I didn’t know what was going on, so I entered my office first. Stacey hadn’t arrived yet.
I browsed through the files on my desk and signed every document that needed my signature. An hour later, Stacey arrived. She was taken aback when she saw me at my desk. Nevertheless, she greeted me with a polite smile.
Something was amiss. She took the files I signed and was about to leave.
Sensing her hesitation, I asked, “Is something wrong?”
Her expression turned awkward. “Ms. Stovall, are you seriously going out with Mr. Harrison?”
I didn’t know what she was talking about. “Which Mr. Harrison?”
“Nick Harrison!” She looked at me curiously. “The news about you and Mr. Harrison had been circulating around for days. Last night, someone exposed a video of you entering the same hotel room with Mr. Harrison at A City. But Ms. Stovall, you’ve just suffered from a miscarriage. Plus, you’re still married to Mr. Fuller. Why did you…” she trailed off.
I was still confused. “What happened these few days?”
She took out her phone and showed me the front page news.
I read carefully through the news. It started two days ago when Nick brought me to the city center for dinner in his flashy Maybach. Netizens started making up stories that got more malicious. In the end, I became a slut.
After reading the article, my head began throbbing in pain. So that was why those people from the Finance Department were staring at me strangely.
Was that why Ashton changed the lock of the villa and blocked my number?
When I recalled how Nick answered the call from him at the hotel, my headache intensified.
Why did everything come down on me, all at once?
My phone started buzzing. Seeing I was busy, Stacey left with the files.
I glanced at the caller ID. It was Nick. Feeling annoyed, I answered his call. “What is it?”
“Did you see the headlines?” he asked casually.
“Mm,” I mumbled in response. “Yes, I did.”
