Chapter 6
As soon as I hit send and switched the phone to silent, the screen lit up again.§
It was a call from Horace.§
“Lovell, come on, don’t do this,” he said, his voice low and tired. “I know having Jaylee and Zach around these past few days has made things difficult. Once Zach gets better, I’ll send them away, alright?“>
“I know I was a bit harsh just now. That was my fault. But Lovell, my son is barely three years old. You can’t seriously think this is okay, right? Come on, don’t make this a big thing. I’m really exhausted, I-”
But then, I cut him off.”
“Then stop exhausting yourself. You know me, Horace. I don’t joke about these things.“}
And with that, I hung up.
I didn’t wait to hear what else he had to say.}
I turned off my phone, shifted into a comfortable position in the seat, and leaned back to rest.
Horace’s POV
While I was at the hospital, I kept dialing Lovell’s number again and again.”
When none of the calls went through, I finally gave up and called my subordinate.}
“Go to the house. Lovell’s probably still there. She’s not in a good place right now, and knowing her, she won’t remember to eat anything. Bring her something, and stay with her. I’ll head back as soon as I can.”}
Horace’s POV
An hour later, Zach had finished all his tests and was now lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV.
Up until now, I had been trying to reach Lovell–calls, texts, everything. But her phone remained silent, unreachable, as if she’d vanished into thin air. My face was clouded with tension and frustration.
Just then, my subordinate burst into the room, breathless and anxious.
“Sir! Miss Porter is gone!“>
My eyes narrowed, locked onto the still–warm food container in his hands.
“Why didn’t you give this to her? And what do you mean she’s gone?”
He lowered his head and shakily explained, “Her clothes and daily stuff are still there, but her ID and bank card are missing.“}
I froze, then my expression hardened.
Before I could say anything, Jaylee let out a snide laugh.
“Wow. Miss Porter really knows how to make a scene. It was clearly her fault, and now she’s the one storming off like she’s the victim. What’s she trying to pull? Some reverse psychology act? Honestly, it’s childish.”
She turned to me with a sweet, almost pitiful tone and continued, “Horace, I know this isn’t your fault. Lovell’s clearly upset with you, and I suppose it’s partly my fault too. I shouldn’t have lost my temper earlier. But you can understand, right? Zach looked awful back there. I was terrified.“}
Then with a reassuring tone, she added, “But it’s okay, Horace. Once Lovell comes back, I’ll talk to her properly. You don’t have to worry too much. She’s just trying to get your attention. There’s no way she really plans to break up with you.“>
I didn’t respond. My gaze was glued to the last message Lovell had sent me
[Let’s break up.]
Three simple words, yet they burned like fire in my chest.
Not counting the three years she waited for me, we’d known each other since we were sixteen and fell in love at eighteen. Seven years of memories, and five years of love.
No one in the world knew her better than I did.
Lovell had been raised well by her parents and grandfather. She was calm, dignified, never one to resort to drama or manipulation.
I still remembered, clear as day, the moment she woke up in the hospital after taking a bullet for me. Her face was pale as paper, but her voice had been steady and serious.
“Horace, I’ll be with you. But promise me something. If one day you fall out of love with me, don’t lie. Just tell me the truth. I won’t cling to you.“D
“Until then, no matter what happens between us, I’ll always believe in you. I’ll never use a breakup as leverage.”N
And she’d meant every word.
In the five years we’d been together, no matter how bad our fights got, Lovell had never once threatened to leave me.”
Now, reading that message again, her voice echoed in my mind–and a chill ran down my spine.
Her love had always been straightforward, like her personality. She was never the type to play games. She wouldn’t use a breakup to test me or gain the upper hand.
She meant it.”
Seeing me remain silent for so long, Jaylee started to panic.}
“Horace… you’re not actually falling for her little act, are you? I mean, come on. You’re a guy. It’s normal that you don’t get how women
11:25 PM
a
Her love had always been straightforward, like her personality. She was never the type to play games. She wouldn’t use a breakup to test me or gain the upper hand.
She meant it.
Seeing me remain silent for so long, Jaylee started to panic.
“Horace… you’re not actually falling for her little act, are you? I mean, come on. You’re a guy. It’s normal that you don’t get how women
work. I’ve seen her type a hundred times. She’s just trying to manipulate you.”
But something about the way she spoke grated on my nerves.
I suddenly snapped, “Enough! Shut up! She’s my girlfriend. The woman I plan to marry. You have no right to talk about her like that.“} As I spoke, I stood up.
Jaylee flinched at the look on my face but tried to hold her ground.
“Horace, but… Zach’s still getting treatment. You-”
This time, I cut her off sharply, “This is a hospital. There are doctors here. What use is it for me to stay?“}
Decided, I said, “Once Zach is discharged, I’ll have someone take you both back to wherever you’re supposed to be. Don’t come back to my place again.“}
“That’s mine and Lovell’s home. You don’t belong there,” I firmly stated.”
