Chapter 246
ex
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Now that the words had been spoken, Ellie had no choice but to admit it openly and settle things once and for all.
“You finally admit it; you like me,” Alex spoke, his voice noticeably trembling.
His eyes were red, and the emotions swirling inside them were so painfully obvious. “So, all those times you’ve been sarcastic and hot–and–cold with me… it’s because you like me? Even though you’re disappointed in me, you can’t let go of
me,
When Ellie didn’t respond, Alex pressed on: “Where did you hide those drawings?”
Their gazes locked. Ellie pushed Alex away and turned to leave. I’ll show you.”
She led him to the bathroom, opening the door for him to enter.
Ellie stood by the bathtub, looking at Alex as he stepped in. “Do you remember when I came back from abroad, and you forced me to help Haley clear her name?”
Ignoring the emotions churning in Alex’s eyes, Ellie spoke. “When I didn’t agree, you threatened me with Aaron’s job and his future. If I remember correctly, that was the second time you got Aaron fired.
“That day, when I found out Aaron had been suspended, I completely panicked. Becoming a prosecutor had been Aaron’s dream for years. He worked so hard for it.
“If he lost his job, how would he cope? And if he lost his job, how would I come up with the money to pay for my medication next month….
“That day, I really felt like I had no way out. I hid here by myself, crying for hours, burning so many things.”
Alex, his eyes red, couldn’t tear his gaze from Ellie as the emotions inside him threatened to overwhelm him.
dad’s
Ellie continued, her voice steady but filled with sorrow. “Seven years, over two thousand days and nights, I drew more than two thousand paintings. But to burn them all, it only took an hour.”
“Ellie,” Alex’s voice cracked, hearing her admit to burning those drawings. He grabbed her shoulders, his control breaking. “You’re lying! You never burned them; why would you? You just hid them away!”
Ellie wrenched herself free, stepping back, unable to hold her emotions in anymore. “Why would I keep them? “You knew how I felt about you, and yet you showed me no respect. You insulted me, and you only humiliated and threatened my family. If it were you, would you still be able to love me? Would you still dare to love me?”
Ellie spoke with cold finality. “I liked you once. But I never reached the point where I couldn’t live without you.”
Alex’s gaze never left her back, his eyes burning red. It felt as if all his strength had been drained from him. His throat constricted, but no words came out.
He hesitated, calling her name softly. “Ellie…”
His voice was low and filled with pain, trembling with each word “We….
You are you, and I am me. There is no we, Ellie said, still with her back to him, her voice icily distant. “Leave. I don’t want to
you anymore.”
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08:37 Mon, Feb 10 BAG.
Chapter 246
Alex, numb, turned around, not even knowing how he left Ellie’s apartment.
O.68%
Standing at the apartment door, Alex, eyes bloodshot, leaned against it with his hands pressed to the frame, his body slightly hunched as he gasped for breath. His heart felt as if it were being torn apart.
Even so, his feet felt like they were rooted to the ground. He couldn’t bring himself to leave.
He had always dreamed of being the one to save her but he couldn’t dare to imagine what would happen if that were really the case. What would happen between him and Ellie?
Meanwhile, inside the apartment, Ellie had already broken down.
She locked herself in the bathroom, repeating to herself over and over, “Ellie, don’t panic, and don’t be afraid. The person you saved couldn’t possibly be Alex”
