Semua Bab Guess Who's Not Coming Back: Bab 1 - Bab 9

9 Bab

Chapter 1

Saintvelle, Lurevia."Reine, call Elyna. Now!"That line hit like a jolt. I was reborn.I grabbed my phone and dialed without blinking.Cedric was flushed, eyes hazy and burning.That look had wrecked me last time.Not again.I avoided his gaze and dipped out fast."She'll be here in ten," I said, already halfway out the door.Behind me, he growled something—sounded like my name.I pretended not to hear and closed the door hard, planting myself outside like a wall.Ten minutes later, Elyna showed up, all flustered.She gave me a look—half relief, half something else—when she saw my clothes were still in place.Right before stepping in, she said, "You can go. You're not needed."Cool.I turned and headed upstairs to my room.Downstairs didn't go quiet till way past midnight.I let out a slow breath. Last time, I loved Cedric too much. Like a moth to a flame, I gave myself to him—and ended up pregnant.He married me because he had to. Then on our wedding day, Elyna died

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Chapter 2

I moved to shut the door on instinct—didn't want to deal with him.Cedric caught it, frowning. "You avoiding me? Why?"He leaned in, scanning my face. "You mad? Is it about Elyna?"I shook my head fast. "Nope. I'm happy for you. You two finally made it happen."He didn't buy it. His eyes shifted, cold and sharp."That's really how you feel? Or just acting?" He let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Reine, don't tell me you're still clinging to me. You think I didn't notice that kiss on your eighteenth birthday? That fake drunk bit?"He sneered. "All those love letters you wrote—I read every single one. Thought you were being slick, but the way you looked at me? Obvious. Everyone in this house knew."He leaned back, smug. "Not saying it out loud was the smartest move you ever made. Cause if you had? I would've laughed in your face. Laughed at you for ever thinking you stood a chance."His laugh echoed as he shoved past me and went straight for the desk. He yanked open the bottom drawer,

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Chapter 3

The next few days were quiet. Elyna kept flaunting their relationship like it was her full-time job. Cedric stayed moody, but I wasn't about to chase after him this time.A month later, Elyna dropped the bomb—she was pregnant.Cedric lit up like he'd hit the jackpot. Wedding plans launched overnight, and the whole house turned into prep central.This time, she got the baby. And I was finally ready to walk away.Once my documents cleared, I booked a one-way ticket to Italvia.Date of departure? The same day they said "I do."Cedric cracked before I left. Found me while Elyna was out, barged into my room.He held up his phone to show me an email. "You touched the money your parents left? Lawyer says it's a deposit for studying abroad. Seriously? You're running off just 'cause I'm getting married?"My heart stuttered, but then he kept talking and it sort of... steadied.When I didn't say anything, he scowled. "Still giving me the silent treatment? A whole month, Reine. If I hadn'

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Chapter 4

Cedric was already in his wedding suit, but instead of heading out with the others, he veered toward Reine's room.No clue why—he just needed to see her.The room? Empty. His heart stuttered.Then it hit him—she was probably already at the venue, helping out like everyone else. He shook it off and went to grab Elyna.Today, Cedric was riding high. He was marrying the girl of his dreams, and soon they'd have a kid.Just thinking about it had him grinning like an idiot.When Elyna showed up, he couldn't look away. She looked unreal in that white dress—exactly how he'd pictured her for years.But he wasn't the only one staring. Gaspard, her so-called childhood friend, was too.Cedric didn't give Gaspard a second thought. To him, the guy was a broke nobody—decent face, slick talker, zero substance.He kissed Elyna right in front of him, then scooped her up and carried her to the car.The ceremony kicked off, but Reine still hadn't shown.Didn't take a genius—she couldn't handle

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Chapter 5

Months later, Elyna hit her due date. Cedric barely left her side.The day she went into labor, he was pacing the hallway like a total wreck.They say giving birth is like brushing past death, and all he could do was stand there, silently begging the universe to keep them both alive.But he wasn't alone.Gaspard showed up, because of course he did.Cedric's jaw tightened. That guy had the worst timing—always showing up when he was least wanted.Cedric never saw Gaspard as real competition. Elyna and Gaspard went way back, but she was never the type to swoon over sweet talk. A face might turn heads, but keeping hers? That took serious cash and clout.She had her own career. She respected strength. That's why Cedric kept his feelings under wraps until he had something to show for it. No way she'd fall for some smooth talker with zero game outside flattery.That belief made it easier to stomach Gaspard popping in now and then—even if it drove him crazy.An hour later, the doors s

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Chapter 6

Cedric didn't want to ruin Elyna's big day, so he shrugged it off. "Why would I think about that mess? I'm just picking out a gift for our son."Still, his brain kept looping back to Reine. That itch to hop a flight and track her down hit hard.Elyna flashed a grin. "Remember what you said? Five hundred grand for a girl, a million for a boy. Time to pay up."He froze, suddenly remembering that dumb joke he'd made back when she first got pregnant. She'd teased him about birth rewards, saying rich moms always scored big. He'd tossed out, "Half a mil for a girl, a full mil for a boy."Didn't think she'd actually cash in.Unease crept up. He'd already dropped a fortune on her these past two years—mansion, luxury cars, designer everything. But straight-up cash? That hit different.Especially after catching her sneaking money to Gaspard. Not chump change either.He'd checked—none of it ever came back.He used to think her no-filter thirst for luxury was kinda refreshing. At least she

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Chapter 7

Back then, I was so swamped in Italvia, I didn't have time to care about anything going on in Lurevia.For over six months, I'd been all-in on school—out early, home late, barely doing anything but studying, eating, and crashing.The new campus had this chill, focused vibe, and I'd clicked with a bunch of other Lurevian exchange students. I was locked into this new rhythm.Before, everything in my head was Cedric. School barely registered.Now? School actually meant something. Life finally felt full.I hadn't gone back to Lurevia once.Most of my roommates flew home every break. They always asked me to come. I always said no.I'd finally gotten out. No way was I stepping back into that mess.I'd cut off all ties with Cedric, and it looked like he wasn't chasing after me either.Quiet life suited me. If I did the math right, Cedric should've just become a dad. I figured I was ancient history to him.Didn't think he'd track me down so fast.I'd just finished a lab when a rando

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Chapter 8

I'd just stepped out of lab when Tristan blocked my way."Reine, why are you always so cold? Can't you just give me a shot?"People from our group started circling, watching it unfold.Tristan—another Lurevian exchange student—had been chasing me since forever. Sweet guy, but way too persistent.I sighed and met his eyes. "I told you—I'm not into dating right now. I'm here to focus."Like always, he pushed again, inviting me to some party he was throwing. For the hundredth time.I was about to shut him down when someone stepped in—tall, sharp, commanding."Are you deaf or just pretending? She's clearly not into you. Take the hint."Didn't even need to see his face. That voice? That attitude?It was Cedric.In my past life, I'd loved him so much, I could spot him in a crowd without even trying.The second he stepped in, things got ugly. He and Tristan were trading words, then fists.I jumped in, heart pounding. This wasn't Lurevia—one campus fight and we'd be dealing with co

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Chapter 9

Cedric stepped closer, slow and unsure. He reached like he was about to hug me—then dropped his arms."You used to hang on to me all the time," he said quietly. "Didn't you promise you'd stay with me forever?"It's my fault. I didn't get it back then. That's why I lost you."But now I do. You were the only one who ever really loved me. And because of how we were... I was too scared to accept it."But I'm done running. I love you, Reine. I want to be with you. For real this time."Then he moved in like he meant to hold me.I shoved him off.His eyes were bloodshot, voice shaking. "Do you know how scared I was seeing you with someone else? I thought I'd lost you for good. I pushed you away, but if that meant losing you to another guy—I'd rather be dead!"Thank God you didn't choose him. Thank God I'm not too late! I know you still love me. You loved me for years—those feelings don't just disappear!"Letting you go was the biggest screw-up of my life. I'm not making that mistake

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