Cameron sent money over, he became a sponsor.
He wanted to send me away!
“Holly,” I glanced at her, smiling through my tears, “Am I really that superfluous in Jerez State?”
“Laura…”
I grabbed the check and ran out madly, calling Cameron on the phone, arranging to meet him at that hilltop.
He didn’t take long to arrive, driving a black Maybach.
Black suit, black shirt, black shoes, he was enveloped in black.
Sharp-edged face, indifferent eyes, commanding aura.
He was still the Cameron I knew best.
Approaching him, I threw the check harshly onto his face. “What’s the meaning of this?”
He glanced at me, just furrowed slightly, without saying a word.
“Cameron,” My heart clenched, fighting back tears, “What’s this? Alimony? Using this money to send me far away so I never disturb your life again? Cameron, you are really cruel!”
“Laura…”
“Don’t call my name!” I glared at him. “What you’re doing is more disgusting than what Carter did!”
“I don’t mean anything by it,” He explained calmly. “I know that when you graduated from college, you actually received offers from top foreign universities, but you gave them up… This is The Lynch Family’s debt to you.”
“Debt?” I bitterly laughed. “Cameron, please don’t mention the word ‘debt’! The Lynch Family doesn’t owe me, it’s me who owes you! I owe your sister her life, my father almost killed your fiancée, it’s me who owes you!”
“But… do you have to let me repay it in this way?” I looked at him.
“I know you’re getting married, Cameron. Why are you doing this? Do you think I’ll ruin your wedding? Are you worried I’ll disturb Queenie? Ha, you’re really cruel. You’re giving me some money as if I’m a beggar, sending me off to a foreign land… From now on, whether I live or die has nothing to do with you. You’re completely cutting ties with me… Cameron, can’t you even leave me a place to stay?”
“You’re so cruel… So cruel!”
I crouched down, hugging my knees tightly, trying to hold back the tears. I could never be strong in front of him…
The wind on the hilltop grew chilly, it was already autumn, and the surrounding foliage started to turn yellow.
I feel like my heart is tangled with thorns.
“Don’t worry, I’ll leave,” I said softly. “I’ll go far away, and I won’t bother you. But I don’t need your money! I’ll apply for scholarships and work abroad to earn tuition… Cameron, let’s say goodbye here. From now on, there’s no more ‘debt’ between us.”
After saying that, I felt much relieved.
I turned and started walking down the mountain, this time without looking back at him.
Behind me, I heard footsteps, then a force grabbed my arm. A cold voice came from behind.
“Get in the car!”
“Let go of me!” I struggled free, “No need! I have feet, I can walk down the mountain by myself!”
“I said get in the car!”
Cameron grabbed my arm and forcefully dragged me back. The pain was intense, it felt like my arm was about to break.
“What are you doing!” I glared at him, “Mr. Lynch probably forgot that last time you left that ‘heartless’ Laura here! This time… I’ll leave you, this heartless bastard, here too!”
“Get in the car!”
He exerted force, shoving me into the car like he was grabbing a small rabbit. Despite my punches, kicks, and struggles, he remained unmoved.
“Cameron, let me go! Cameron!”
I was hysterical inside the car.
He started the car, and I tried to grab the steering wheel. He had to turn off the ignition and shouted, “You’re asking for death!”
My heart was pounding, and in that moment of eye contact, he suddenly kissed me.
His soft lips, dominant kiss… His large hands wrapped around my waist, leaving no gap between us. Our tongues intertwined, stirring my most sensitive nerves. It felt like he was pouring all his passion into this kiss. I was momentarily lost in desire.
But soon, rationality returned, and I pushed him away with all my strength. He leaned down again… I fiercely bit his lips, the taste of blood filling my mouth.
Cameron seemed surprised, perhaps unaware that the usually gentle and compliant Laura could act so rebelliously. He touched the wound, panting heavily.
I quickly opened the car door and took a few steps before he caught up to me.
“Laura, stop!” he shouted.
“Get away!”
“Slap!” As I turned around, I slapped him.
“Cameron, don’t come near me…” I watched him while stepping back.
Fear, panic, frustration, sadness, despair… like a noose tightening around my throat. I was suffocating.
“Come here, get in the car!” he yelled at me.
I shook my head desperately, but accidentally stepped into the air, falling backward… Cameron rushed over, and I felt his strong arms encircling me. He turned over and cushioned my fall, and we rolled down the steps together…
When I woke up, I was already lying at home, with Patrick sitting by the bed. His gaze was anxious, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me awake. His large palm gently touched my forehead.
“It’s okay, don’t be afraid.”
“Patrick…” I spoke weakly, “What happened?”
“Don’t you remember?”
I remained silent, vaguely recalling the feeling of dizziness before losing consciousness.
“You and Cameron were too careless!” he scolded me. “You’re both adults, couldn’t you have had your conversation somewhere else? Did it have to be at the mountain top?”
“Oh!” I remembered, sitting up suddenly, feeling a sharp pain in my waist. “How is Cameron? What happened to him?”
“He’s not in good shape,” Patrick glanced at me. “His entire back was scraped by the stone steps. His hands were scratched by branches, and his ankles twisted. He’ll need some time to recover. But you’re not seriously injured, just hit your waist. Rest for a few days.”
I lowered my head.
“His wedding will probably be postponed.”
I closed my eyes, physically and mentally exhausted.
“Laura,” Patrick continued to ask, “What did you two talk about?”
I shook my head. At this moment, I simply didn’t have the strength to answer his question. I needed quiet, sleep, and… a clear head.
I contacted the university that had offered me admission before. Surprisingly, after more than a year, the professor still remembered me and reserved a spot for me, ready to send me an invitation letter and admission notice at any time. This really saved me a lot of trouble.
I quickly completed all the procedures for going to the United States.
I booked my flight ticket, and in the early morning mist, I alone carried two large suitcases, setting off on the road to a foreign land.
Coincidentally, that day was also Cameron’s wedding.
As the plane took off, the sunrise broke through the clouds, illuminating the earth with golden sunlight. The sunlight was blinding, and my eyes welled up with tears.
It was eight o’clock in the morning, the groom should be going to pick up the bride now.
The wedding car convoy should have arrived at the hotel by eleven o’clock.
At twelve o’clock, the ceremony should have started.
Did they exchange rings?
Did they vow to love each other deeply for a lifetime?
Did he… kiss her?
I kept my eyes closed, feeling a salty taste at the corners of my mouth.
The plane landed in Seattle, USA, where I would go through immigration. At this moment, I was 11872 kilometers away from Cameron.
What kind of distance was this? Was it far enough for us to completely forget each other?
At this moment, it was nighttime in the United States and daytime in Jerez State. We finally diverged in time and space.
Cameron, goodbye…
…