FAZER LOGINCompartilhar
Chapter 12
Último capítulo
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 13
He froze.“Because you wished a bright future for me.“As it turned out, you almost destroyed that.”His breath trembled.I continued:“From this day forth, my name has nothing to do with you anymore.“Neither my future.”With that, I hung up and blocked the number.Later on, I saw Gavin one more time.It was a year later at an industry exchange conference.My little studio had expanded into an enterprise.I came onstage as a guest speaker to share insights on evidence awareness, women’s financial independence, and avoiding pitfalls in cross-border labor.Many people were seated in the audience.When I finished speaking, applause erupted.Amid the applause, I caught sight of Gavin sitting in the last row.He wore a washed-out, faded shirt, so thin he was practically emaciated.Catching sight of my gaze, he stood up in a panic.He looked as if he wanted to leave, yet couldn’t bear to part.When the conference ended, I found him waiting for me at the entrance.Standing in the freezing wi
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 12
I reviewed their contracts, verified their employers, and taught them how to preserve evidence.At the end of every consultation, I made sure to tell my clients of young women:“Earning money is the goal.“But never surrender all your earnings to someone else.“Always put yourself first.”Six months later, my agency was featured on the local news.The reporter asked me why I chose this career path.I pondered briefly before replying:“When I was younger, I used to think that endurance and sacrifice could earn me a home.“Only later did I realize, the single most important thing is staying clear-headed.”The night the news aired, I received a call from an unknown number.The other end remained silent for a long time.I knew almost instantly who it was.“Clara.”Gavin’s voice sounded far more haggard than before.He had likely been released.Or perhaps he was in the middle of completing his release procedures.I didn’t say a word.He asked, hesitatingly, “Are you doing well?”I looked ou
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 11
“Clara, I want the brightest future for you.”Back then, that young boy’s eyes shone pure as snow.I had loved him once.With every single bit of strength I possessed.Gavin’s voice cracked with tears.“I’m sorry.“I… wronged you.”I looked at him.I stared for a long time.Finally, I said:“Gavin, it’s not me you wronged.“It’s the Clara who once had faith in you.”Tears instantly cascaded down his face.Yet I didn’t look back.Turning around to leave the courthouse, I was met with the brilliant sunlight that stung my eyes.Walking down to the bottom of the steps, I suddenly crouched down on the ground.Sarah was caught off guard.“Are you okay?”I waved my hand gently.“I’m fine.”Yet tears beaded on the concrete floor.One drop, then two.They quickly dampened a small patch of ground.I wasn’t crying for Gavin.I was crying for twenty-three-year-old me.For the girl who had believed that working hard would earn her a home.For the girl who, running a high fever in a strange land, di
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 10
I hung up the phone.Outside the window, it was raining hard.The raindrops rattled down in dense patters.The sound reminded me of the tin roofs on the farms in Silveridge.My mind drifted to five years ago, the night I first arrived there.Unable to speak the language, my phone running out of battery, the airport lights chilly all around me.I crouched inside a bathroom stall, weeping as I clutched my suitcase.I sent Gavin a message then:“I’m scared.”It took him three hours to reply:“Stop being so dramatic. Think about our future home.”So I wiped away my tears.And I began to imagine that home.I never stopped for five years.Only to realize that there had never been a place for me in such a home.On the day of the court session, the weather was wonderful.I wore a black trench coat.Sarah said black made one look composed.When I looked in the mirror, I saw the reflection staring back at me.A skinny woman with deep-set eyes.Rough marks on the back of my hands from long-term
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 9
She looked up at me.“We can win.”Her reply made all my past torments worth it.I didn’t see Gavin over the next few days.He called me countless times.I didn’t answer a single call.Then he sent me messages:“Clara, let’s talk.“Things aren’t the way you think they are.“I know I’ve wronged you, but I had no choice at the time.“Can you please take down the videos?“My boss already brought me in for a talk, and Chloe’s dad has been dragged into this too.”Reading all those words, I felt nothing but sheer absurdity.Even now, he was still convinced I should clean up his mess for him.Just like all those years in the past.Back in the orphanage, when other kids stole his food, I fought them off.When he failed his exams, I stayed up all night to tutor him.When he met setbacks at work, I comforted him, telling him we could take things slow.When he wanted to buy a house, I went to work in Silveridge.I had always borne the burden.That must be why he assumed even now—after his colossa
Hardship Taught Me Well Chapter 8
“Which one of those wasn’t bought with my money?“When you were enjoying all of it, did you ever stop to think about how evil you were?”Chloe was left speechless by my retort.Gavin finally spoke up.His voice was raspy as sandpaper.“Clara... I’m sorry.”Hearing that, a sharp, violent pain stabbed through my chest.Five years.I had waited for some explanation.I had longed for his care.And a simple thank you from this man.Yet all I got was him basking in glory, blessed with wife and child.“Not so fast.”I took another document from the PI and threw it right at his face.Papers scattered all over the floor.Bank transfer records, chat screenshots, property registry info, transaction histories, and social media screenshots.Page after page, all proof of how I had been bled dry over the past five years.“These are the court filings.”I looked at him, delivering each word with deliberate clarity.“Gavin, all that you owe me—“I’m going to make you pay back every single cent.”The ne
Você também pode gostar
A Farewell Gift of Death
Flowering Tree22.4K visualizaçõesBreaking Free After My Rebirth
Green Tomato82.3K visualizaçõesYour Love Came Too Late
Jasmine Flower31.3K visualizaçõesMy Ice Hockey Husband Faked Our Marriage so I Joined His Rival
Miss Sunny23.5K visualizaçõesMake-Up Artist vs. Made-Up Accounts
Simon Vale24 visualizaçõesCountdown to My Last Heartbeat
Sweetie Moore25 visualizaçõesHe Bet Against My Best Friend, Then Lost His Place in My Life
Halle Shaw22 visualizaçõesHe Put Her First Until I Left
Everblue30 visualizações
