All Chapters of My Tough Armor: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Today was my last date ever with Vernon Grayson.As usual, he hugged me from the back after we did the deed and gently nipped my earlobe with his lips. His fingers traced over every inch of my exposed skin beneath him.His voice was low and sultry as he referred to me by my nickname."Callie…"I felt like I was about to fall for him once again when I heard him. I dearly wanted to believe that this was true love.I used to think that a person would have to be very deeply in love with someone else for them to be so gentle and patient with them in bed. I also firmly believed that his self-control and attention to details meant that he saw me as his one and only.That was because I simply couldn't fathom why a man would ever waste his precious time on a woman whom he didn't even love.However, Vernon hadn't been spending the night with me for the past two months. No matter how late it was, he would still insist on going home, and that was because someone else had appeared in his lif

Chapter 2

I stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows and watched as the Rolls-Royce slowly left the hotel. I knew then that Vernon and I were over.I wiped away the tears from my eyes. My phone then buzzed with an email from my lecturer, Dr. Jessica Flemington.All the paperwork had already been settled. I would be joining the final batch of researchers and heading toward the Doctors without Borders Research Center in Litzerland at noon tomorrow.I'd be there for the next ten years, and that would be when my new life would finally begin.Dr. Flemington knew about my pregnancy and my secret relationship. So, she made sure to buy a business-class ticket for me, wanting me to feel comfortable during the entire journey.I stared at the screen, my fingers shaking as they hovered above a countdown timer I'd set in my calendar app.I would finally be leaving this city in exactly 18 hours. I would finally be leaving him and all the dreams that never once belonged to me.As soon as dawn broke, I ha

Chapter 3

After getting back to my dorm, I took out my documents and stuffed them into my suitcase. I had fewer than seven hours left. With each document I put away, I kept reminding myself that time was ticking, and I had to leave at the end of the countdown.I took the company keycard and boardroom access card to Grayson Group. As I stepped into the building for the final time, I could feel a huge weight on my chest.Since I had made up my mind to leave, I had to make sure not to leave any traces.Just as I'd reached the office, however, I heard a few hushed voices whispering to each other."Did you hear the news? Mr. Grayson is getting married, and his bride is his childhood best friend!""I always thought that Mr. Grayson had the hots for his assistant, Ms. Summers. After all, they always spend every waking hour together, whether it's lunchtime, working overtime, or going on business trips.""Don't be dumb! Ms. Summers is an orphan. Mr. Grayson is way out of her league! The Graysons ru

Chapter 4

It was Vernon.He was wearing a black trenchcoat, and he had that icy look on his face that made him stand out from the rest of the crowd."Calista Summers, where do you think you're going?" Vernon asked, studying me closely.His voice was deep and unforgivingly demanding. Meanwhile, my mind had gone completely blank.Where did I think I was going?Where else could I be going?Of course I was running away from him and this city that would only remind me of my heartbreak!However, when it came to him, I was already used to putting on an act for him. I subconsciously smiled and answered, "Oh, I'm here to see a friend off."Vernon's eyes dimmed, as if he was trying to decide if I was telling him the truth or not. Eventually, he let go of my wrist as the frown on his face disappeared. "Oh. I thought you were leaving.""Why would I do that?" I asked, panicking a little as I averted my gaze, not daring to look him in the eyes.Just then, a short distance away, I heard someone cal

Chapter 5

Samara lay in bed, her face deathly pale, as she grabbed onto the hem of Vernon's shirt. She said in a weak voice, "Vernon, don't leave me… I'm scared…"Vernon's brows knitted together as he glanced periodically at the door. Although he was physically with Samara, his heart was still looking for Calista."Get some rest, Samara. I'll—""Vernon," Samara said, interrupting him with tears in her eyes. "Don't you know? I don't have anyone else looking out for me in this world anymore, besides you."Vernon sighed and forced himself to be patient as he sat down next to her bed. "Don't overthink things, Samara. Have a good rest."Samara bit on her lower lip and mustered enough courage to say, "Vernon, now that Calista's gone, I can replace her and stay by your side.""What do you mean by that?" Vernon asked, turning around and looking at her with a frown. "I don't like it when you say things like that. Never ever say that again."Samara watched his back and quickly made her decision. Sh

Chapter 6

We flew through the mountains and over the seas, finally landing in Litzerland many hours later. And, it was right then that I felt something had changed about me.This was where my baby—Cupcake—and I would be starting life anew.I deeply inhaled the foreign air and did everything I could to lock away the painful memories of the past in a secluded corner of my brain.Once we'd touched down at the airport, Dr. Flemington welcomed me warmly, and it was greatly comforting for me.She didn't seem to have aged much since the last time I saw her. She was still as lively as ever, her eyes sparkling reverently and reflecting the burning passion she had for her research project."Calista! I'm so happy to see you back here again," Dr. Flemington said, grabbing my hands in glee. She looked so happy to see me. "I thought that you'd give up on research after going back, but I knew all along that the little fire of passion you had was still there, burning away," she added.She also noticed my

Chapter 7

Vernon probably never thought that I'd choose to leave an urban, developed place like Duke City for the likes of Litzerland, where the villages were plagued with danger and uncertainties.He'd travelled thousands of miles to Litzerland and searched high and low for me before finally ending up at the research center where I was at. And when he finally found it, he was greatly shocked.He stood at the entrance to the research center, his eyes filled with disbelief.He simply couldn't understand why I would give up everything I had while with him and choose to start my life over in a place like this.However, just as he got his hopes up thinking he'd finally get to see me, he was told that I'd just left the center and had gone out to the front lines to rescue some injured personnel.Vernon's heart sank at once. He desperately needed to know where I'd gone.He stopped every researcher he saw to ask about my whereabouts. It seemed as though he was not going to give up until he'd gotte

Chapter 8

"Stop lying to yourself and the rest of us, Vernon Grayson," I said, coldly turning to look at him, my eyes sharp and piercing as a knife. "You've never loved me. You only feel possessive toward me. That's not love."You never actually cared about me or even bothered to get to know me. The only thing you wanted from me was an obedient little puppet who would do everything as you said. You never wanted me as an equal partner."Vernon was thoroughly stunned. This was the first time he had ever seen such a prickly side of me, and all while I tore off his pretense without any mercy.He shook in his shoes, pain reflecting in his eyes. At that very moment, he finally understood that I wasn't the same Calista he knew that he could toy and play with however he wished."Calista…"His voice was low, and it sounded like he was in pain. He looked like he wanted to say more, but he stopped when a wave of dizziness suddenly overcame me. The dizzy spell made my knees weak, and Vernon quickly r

Chapter 9

The following six months were some of the most peaceful months of my life.Vernon never went back on his word. He really stayed with me and never left my side.He set aside his work at the company and devoted all of his time to taking care of me, helping me through the most difficult stages of pregnancy.However, each time I thought about the past, the mixed feelings would surge up again. Yet, when I saw him bustling around and tripping over his own feet waiting on me hand and foot, making sure I ate right, took walks, and discussed the future with me, my heart would then melt once more for him.I knew that he was doing his best to make it up to me for what he'd done wrong last time. He was trying to gain my trust again.I had tried rejecting him before, trying to put some distance between us, but every time he gently held my hand and looked at me, I would just get hypnotized into confusion once more.I didn't know if I should forgive him and accept him once again. But I knew tha

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