Chapter 5

I was surprised to see Taylor covered in wounds in his human form. He had bruises all over his face as well. When he saw Rachel, he limped right toward her and kissed her hard on the lips over and over again. Rachel was surprised as well, and she started sobbing. "I didn't expect you to return! I thought I'd lost you forever!"

Taylor replied, "Hmph! It was all that vile woman's fault! She tried to kill me by throwing me into Misty Forest. How despicable of her! I wouldn't have been able to get out of there if you hadn’t been on my mind the entire time. But everything’s okay now, because I only belong to you from now on. I'm finally free from her! I no longer need to bow to her every whim and need!"

It was a romantic reunion for the separated lovers, and they kissed passionately under the cherry tree while I watched on. I finally understood why Taylor had always treated me with disdain and why Rachel was so angry after I let Taylor go free.

They had been in a relationship for a long time, while I had unknowingly become the third wheel, getting in their way. I turned pale at the realization.

When Rachel and Taylor finally pulled away from their kiss, a silver lining glistened on their lips. Rachel suddenly asked, "Did you become shorter?"

Taylor replied, "Why would you ask that? I've always been five foot five." Men were always sensitive when it came to size, and he pressed, "Did you meet another entity taller than me?"

Rachel stammered as she answered, "No… It must be because I haven't seen you for a while. I'm just glad you're finally back!" After that, they embraced once more.

News of Taylor's return to the Spencers began to spread, and he spent his days in animal form, accompanying Rachel. He always gave me a sullen look whenever we saw each other, but I never disturbed him again. Gradually, rumors started to spread about how I brought him to Misty Forest to leave him for dead.

Half a month later, Taylor came to me and said, "I ran out of money, Elsie. Get your assistant to transfer some money to me. You haven't given me my allowance this month."

I replied, "I've already given you freedom, which means there’s nothing left between us. Why should I have my assistant transfer anything to you? What's in it for me?"

Taylor looked enraged when he heard 'nothing left between us'. He said, "Do you think I want any of your money? Don't make it sound like I was begging you for it! It's a fact that you abandoned me in that forest, and I was almost killed by the wild animals there. You should at least compensate me for the mental distress!"

By that time, many people were listening in to our conversation, but I ignored their curious looks. "Abandoned you? Weren't you the one who claimed you were unhappy that I took away your freedom by making you stay by my side? You hated me for imprisoning you here, so I gave you the freedom you've always wanted."

I had said something similar to him before, and some of the servants figured out the truth.

"Miss Spencer has never restricted him before and treats him so well, yet he always picks on everything she does. That’s why she decided to let him go."

"Wasn't he the one who kept talking about how he was meant to live a free life in Misty Forest? Miss Spencer risked danger to free him there, yet he came running back here."

Most of the servants knew how well I had always treated him, but their words only angered Taylor, and he yelled, "But I never wanted to go to Misty Forest! I'll be honest with you. I've had feelings for Rachel for a long time, and if you truly respect my decision, you should give me enough money for me to take Rachel away and live out the rest of our lives together happily!"

His words caused a small commotion among the servants. The Spencers had brought Taylor up because he was meant to be my future husband, so it shocked everyone when he exposed his relationship with Rachel.

One of the servants spoke up on my behalf. "Miss Spencer took care of you willingly, but that doesn't mean she owes you anything. What gives you the right to demand money from her like this?"

Taylor replied, "Shouldn't the Spencers compensate me for buying me and causing me to waste so many years of my life?"

Many of the servants frowned, but all I did was stare at him like he was a stranger. In the end, I told him calmly, "Fine, I'll give you the money." I considered it a payment to sever the last ties between us.