“Don’t you know that James and I broke up? Why would you threaten me with my family?” My heart misses one beat. I don’t like being manipulated.
And there is no love between James and I, only hatred.
Noah says calmly, “You’ll understand it in the future, but I think it’s the best choice for both James and you. I will take good care of your family, and give your sister the best education as well as the best resources. If you agree, you have to believe that the Orlando family has the strength.”
“Your sister is dropping out of school now. It’s a pity that she can’t go to school at such a young age.” Noah changes his posture and looks at me with confidence. He thought I would compromise.
I stand up, look at him and say, “I’m sorry, I won’t agree. I will take care of my family by myself. You don’t have to worry about James and me. Everything has passed. I can’t be with him. Don’t you believe me even I say so clearly?”
“I have seen too many vainglorious women, so I really don’t believe your words, Miss Carolina. I will only rest assured when you leave and go to a place where James can’t find you. He’s the only child in the Orlando Family now.” Noah sighs.
I suddenly remembered that I have sent the report to Noah before. I wonder if he received it.
“Mr. Orlando, Isabel is back. Do you know it?” I say suddenly.
Noah is shocked. “How did you know?”
Isabel has not been able to come back for so many years. One reason is that she is the mistress; the other is that she is afraid of Mrs. Orlando family’s background.
“It seems that you don’t know anything.” I also laugh, laughing at the man who is played around by two women.
Noah is obviously not interested in this topic, nor does he ask me. “I hope you will accept this suggestion for the best of us.”
It’s ridiculous; I don’t want to be led by the nose.
“Thank you, but I won’t accept it.” I take my bag and bend towards Mr. Orlando and says, “Thank you for the hospitality.”
Noah’s voice comes from behind, “Fine.”
I don’t know what it means.
When I get home, I prepare to file for divorce. I don’t want to put off my marriage to Neil any longer.
I take the things I prepare, take a taxi and go straight to the court.
But halfway on the way, the car suddenly stops.
The black sports car stops in front of us, and my driver says embarrassedly, “Miss, you might get out of the car.”
Someone is coming for me!
The door of the sports car is opened, and Isabel comes down.
The sight of her would make my blood freeze and I open the car door with trembling hands.
She is standing in front of me, still so beautiful and dangerous.
“Miss Carolina, you bit off more than you could chew.” She raises her hand and tosses me a paper. “Look what you’ve done. It’s the stupidest thing.”
She intercepted the thing I sent to Mrs. Orlando.
I feel like I am slapped in the face.
“Isabel, you will get what you deserve one day.” I take my things and look at her with hatred.
Once again, I think I am useless. I can’t do anything with her.
“You won’t see that day.” Isabel smiles triumphantly. “Do you want to unite Mrs. Orlando to deal with me? But did you know that even Noah is by my side. He has only one son. Do you think he wants his fortune to be taken by another man?””
“So, don’t be stupid. You can’t win against me.” Isabel looks at me contemptuously, “You have to take Noah’s advice. You must leave today.”
“What?” I immediately become alert and look around her.
There are a few cars behind her, and I still remember how I left America last time.
I turn around and run crazily.
If I can’t run away, I know what will happen to me.
I can’t leave here. I still have a lot to do! I cannot be controlled by Isabel and the Orlando family!
I run into the crowd, trying to scream in horror, and my fear is growing.
I don’t know how many people are behind me, but I don’t have a chance anymore, and I can’t stop it.
I run into the mall, running around the crowded places as much as possible, and finally run out from the back door and get into a small alley, and then I hide in the trash can.
The trash can is smelly, dark, and makes me scary.
I hold my breath, listening to every move outside.
“Damn it, how can that woman run so fast? Where the hell has she been?” The man is breathing heavily and cursing.
“Hurry up and look for her. If we can’t catch her, we are going to die.” Another person says.
Finally, the voices gradually vanish.
But I still don’t dare to come out. At the same time, I text my sister and say, “Don’t go home now. Hide yourself, and don’t let anyone find you.”
If they can’t find me, they will definitely take my sister.
“Sister, what did you do again?”
I can see her impatience and disgust through the message, but I have no other choices. I’m sorry.
“I am sorry. I will explain to you in the future. Listen to me, don’t go home. Go to your classmate’s house or hide somewhere.”
“I hate this kind of life. Didn’t you break up with James? Why do we have to live like this?”
“I’m sorry.” I can only apologize.
I don’t know if they are gone. I don’t dare to speak or come out, so I keep hiding in the trash can.
Suddenly some lights shine on top of my head as the dustbin is opened.
I raise my head in fear and look at the man.
He looks at me incomprehensibly and awkwardly, “What are you doing here?”
He is wearing a waiter’s clothes, and I feel relieved and say, “Sorry, I’m hiding from some people.”
“Oh.” He looks around and says, “There is no one here. Do you want to come out?”
I am completely relieved and say, “Thank you.”
“I’ will hold you.” He smiles at me, showing his beautiful fangs.
I shrink my hands in embarrassment and say, “I’m a little dirty.”
“It’s okay. I’m also dirty. I have done the cleaning for a whole day.” He still smiles, grabs my arm and says, “Come out.”
I finally get out of the trash can, but there is a smell on my body, and I say to him embarrassedly, “I’m sorry, I smell so bad.”
He says nonchalantly, “It’s okay, I understand.”
I want to get up and leave, but he grabs me and looks at me worriedly, “It’s not convenient for you to go like this.”
I look down at myself. There is soup and water all over my body and it’s quite dirty.
“Wait a minute.” He runs away.
“Hey! Where are you going?” I shout at him, but he just waves his hand and says, “Wait a minute!”
I have to stand still and wait for him.
Before long, he comes back and waves to me, “Come here.”
I walk over and say, “What are you doing?”
“You can take a shower in the bathroom where we work, and I borrowed a piece of cloth for you from a colleague. You can get changed.”
Actually, I am very puzzled. I don’t know why the person I met for the first time is so good to me, but when he looks at me sincerely and smiles at me, I could easily believe him.
This is a gym. He takes me into the staff bathroom and hands me the clothes he borrowed before.
I say to him gratefully, “Thank you, I will return it when I wash it.”
“Fine!” He smiles, showing his fangs.
I turn on the hot water and the steam envelops me. I hold myself in my arms, saying to myself that I could not compromise. I could not give up my family.
What Noah means is to watch and imprison us, instead of taking care of my family.
Neither my sister nor I will be free. We will only be like the birds in a cage.
I know it very well, so I cannot go abroad, but what else can I do? I can’t just run away like this.
I think about it while taking a shower. In the end, there is no way I could do, so I wipe myself clean and go out.
The man is still waiting outside. When I come out, he says, “It’s done?” He looks at me up and down, “This dress is just the right size for you.”
“Thank you.” I am grateful to him.
“My name is Morley Walker,” he says.
“Okay, I remember. I am Carolina.” I say.
So, I met a stranger on this day.
He looks at me with some worries and says, “Did you encounter something? Why else would you hide in the trash can?”
I shake my head and say, “Yes, something has happened.”
“If you have anything you can’t do it, let me help you.” He leads me forward, “If I can’t help you, I can help you figure out a way.”
“Thank you.” I don’t know how to tell him. Finally, I ask, “Where can I live without an ID card? I want to find a place for the night first.
I really can’t think of where I can go now. I can’t go home.
“Yes.” Morley says, “I’ll take you there later.”
I send a text to my sister asking what is she doing, and she quickly replies that she is safe and no one is following her.
“I’ll come to see you later.” I say.
“I’m going to find my sister first, and I’ll find you when I get back, okay?” I say to Morley.
Morley nods and says, “Okay, then I’ll wait for you.”
I don’t know why I should believe him. I may have no other choice but to cut off all means of retreat.
My sister sends me the address. It’s in a remote place.
I follow the address she sent me and I find that it is a very old building.
The walls of the stairs are mottled and there are no lights.
I can only turn on the flashlight of my phone and walk up slowly.
I don’t know why, the more I go, the more I am flustered.
I didn’t ask my sister where it is or whether it is her friend’s house. Until I reach the door, I knock on it lightly.
The moment I open the door, it is too late to run.
“I’ve waited for you a long time.”