Chapter 6
The rain fell heavier by the minute as Josie stood by the roadside, clutching an umbrella. The wind was so fierce that it snapped the umbrella’s ribs, leaving her exposed to the downpour.
Drenched and unable to catch a taxi, she was forced to walk home.
The cold rain seeped into her wound, causing sharp pain.
She walked for so long that her legs went numb and her vision blurred.
When she finally reached home, she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her vision darkened, and she collapsed onto the floor.
Josie awoke to the chill of the floor beneath her.
As she pushed herself up, she realized she was still lying on the cold
surface.
A sharp pain radiated from the wound on her shoulder. The wall clock. in the entryway showed it was four in the morning, and Adam’s slippers remained neatly in the shoe cabinet.
He didn’t return home all night.
She struggled to get out of bed, took two fever–reducing tablets, and then collapsed back onto the mattress.
She fell into a deep dream.
In it, she was 17, secretly following Adam. Watching his tall figure, her heart raced.
Chapter 6
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She wished she could rush over, and grab her younger self.
“Stop liking him. It won’t end well.”
When she awoke, the house was still empty.
She picked up her phone to check the time but accidentally ended up on Jessica’s Instagram.
“Someone locked me in a room,” Jessica had posted. “He accused me of flirting around and won’t let me leave. He even said he’ll keep an eye on me himself… What do you think his feelings are for me?”
In the picture, there was a hand with distinct joints.
This hand had once lovingly embraced her and called her “darling.”
It had also held her hand throughout the night when she was feverish.
But now, it was Jessica’s hand.
In the days that followed, she remained at home, continuing to pack the unsorted luggage.
When Adam returned and saw suitcases scattered on the floor, he frowned. “What are you doing?” he asked.
She lied, “The seasons are changing, and I’m worried the clothes might get damp, so I took them out to organize.”
Despite the peculiarity of the situation, he didn’t press further. Instead, he apologized for leaving her behind last time and took her to a movie.
“It’s the film you’ve always wanted to see, Josie. Think of it as my apology,” he said with a gentle tone that left no room for refusal.
Chapter fi
At the cinema, as soon as they settled into their seats, Josie noticed.
Jessica.
She was in the front row, sitting closely with an unfamiliar man.
Adam’s expression turned grim immediately, and he kept his eyes fixed on Jessica throughout the entire film.
Josie suddenly recalled how Adam had reacted when someone once asked for her contact information. He had merely smiled and tousled her hair, remarking, “Is my woman so popular?”
It became clear that when you’re truly fond of someone, jealousy can drive you mad.
By the middle of the movie, Josie had completely lost interest. Just as she was about to make up an excuse to leave, a disturbance arose from outside.
Moments later, the fire alarm rang!
“There’s a fire! Everyone, get out!”
In a flash, the scene descended into chaos.
As thick smoke billowed in through the ventilation, Adam swiftly wrapped Josie in his suit jacket for protection while they hurried to safety.
Once in a secure area, Adam immediately began scanning the surroundings.
Josie followed his gaze and noticed that the man who had been with Jessica emerged alone, but Jessica was nowhere to be seen.
Chapter
Before she could process what was happening. Adam dashed over to
the man.
“Where’s Jessica?” Adam shouted, grabbing the man’s collar. “Why didn’t you bring her out?”
The man, intimidated by Adam’s furious demeanor, stammered, “W- we’re just casual online acquaintances! In a situation like this, I have to look out for myself!”
Adam struck him fiercely, then wordlessly charged back into the burning building.
The firefighters on the scene did their utmost to restrain him. “Sir, don’t go in. We’ll handle the rescue. The fire is too intense! You’ll risk your life!”
“It’ll be too late if I wait!”
Adam’s eyes were wild with desperation as he pushed past those trying to hold him back and plunged into the inferno without a second thought.
From start to finish, he completely overlooked the fact that his “official girlfriend” was right next to him.
