Alle Kapitel von Left Out in the Cold: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 10

I wiped away my tears and croaked, "If this was supposed to be a secret, why did you choose to tell me now?"Samantha avoided my gaze, but still tried to reason with me."We've been friends for ten years. I can't bear to watch you stay in the dark forever. Besides, Bianca has always wanted your blessing. She believes the ceremony is incomplete without you. That's why I thought you needed to know the truth. Just promise me you'll stop being a homewrecker and leave them alone, all right?"I could not help finding her defence of Bianca ridiculous.This was how she treated her friends for ten years.I had protected her from her abusive ex-husband and even helped her and her younger brother land a job at a major corporation.But now, she had forgotten about everything I had done for her and accused me of ruining Bianca's relationship.I ignored her and turned toward the couple making their vows on the stage.I had so many questions for them.…The moment I reached the entrance, tw

I turned around and walked away, paying no attention to their whispers behind me.When I returned home to pack my belongings, I realized I was locked out.The fingerprint lock kept denying my access. I tried again and again until my thumb had grown swollen, but the door still would not open.My neighbor, a middle-aged woman, came home from grocery shopping.She greeted me with a warm smile. "Young lady, aren't you walking your puppy today?"I looked at her in confusion. "I don't have a puppy."She waved her hand dismissively. "Impossible. I saw you registering its nose print just yesterday. It was such a playful little thing. Your parents had to coax it for ages before it finally behaved."My hand froze over the lock, and my mind went blank from the information.I was allergic to pet dander. It would raise hives on my skin upon contact or worse, a fever.Bianca was the dog lover between the two of us.The answer was obvious.In order for Bianca's puppy to come and go freely,

The news broadcast displayed the fierce-looking man's face."Suspect Nicholas Suchet, a repeat offender, struck again recently. The victim has already reported the incident to the police…"Samantha's hands began to tremble violently.Zachary blinked, and the confidence drained from his voice. "It can't be right. Didn't you send the man to pick up Alba, Julian?"Julian's gaze snapped toward him. Veins bulged on his forehead. "What man? I didn't send anyone."Blood drained from Zachary's face."It was on the evening of your engagement ceremony. We ran into a man outside your apartment. He was dragging Alba away. Before that, Bianca asked us to keep an eye on Alba, claiming it was your idea. We assumed you sent the man, so we didn't intervene."Julian grabbed the other man's collar. He glared at him, his voice trembling with emotion. "Say that again."She collapsed into the chair. Her lips had turned white from fear. "A passerby tried to stop him, but we convinced the passerby to

Autumn arrived earlier in Clayfield than I had expected.Wrapped in my adviser's coat, I organized the data in the corner of the lab.Outside the window, the tree leaves had turned yellow. The weather was just cozy enough to make everything feel unreal.It had been two weeks since I arrived in Clayfield.Dr Anderson, my adviser, never once asked why I had suddenly changed my mind. She simply handed me her spare apartment key. "You can stay there for now. There's no rush to find a new place."She had likely noticed my poor state, so she only had me assisting her over the past few days.My wounds were still throbbing with pain but had healed significantly since the day I first arrived in the city.…That day, the taxi driver practically carried me into the emergency room. Seeing my pale face and my forehead drenched in sweat, he refused to charge me.We did not know each other at all, yet he already showed me more kindness than the family I had known for two decades.I register

Julian must have waited there for a long time. Several empty coffee cups were scattered along the curb. Stubble had grown on his chin.As soon as he met my eyes, he practically jumped out of the car and called out to me. "Alba!"I withdrew my gaze and kept walking toward the bus stop.He hurriedly caught up with me, then followed one step behind. He did not try to stop me. "I understand if you hate me now, but there's something I need to tell you in person."I kept walking.He trailed behind me, but his voice dropped. "You were the one who saved me from that speeding car. I had mistaken Bianca for you the whole time. If only I had asked for your name, none of these would've ever happened."I stopped in my tracks and glanced at him. Under the morning light stood a haggard man with dark circles beneath his eyes.I arched my brows and asked flatly. "And then?"My response took him aback."Sure, now you know the truth. What are you going to do? Do you want to win me back or expect