By the third year of the government’s “Back-to-the-Land” program, Chloe Hill finally received her transfer papers to return to the city. One for her, and one for her fiancé. Her parents were overjoyed, already making plans for their wedding as soon as she returned home. What they didn’t know, however, was that Austin Ford—the man who had given up a secure government job to follow her to this remote rural town—no longer looked at her the way he used to. Once, she had been his entire world. But not anymore. The moment Chloe walked in and saw him tangled in bed with another woman, her heart shattered. That night, she made up her mind. She packed her bags and left without a word, boarding the first train back to the city. Months later, Jason Wells, a coworker and friend from the city, offered to drive her home after a long day. When they pulled up to her parents’ house, Jason noticed a man standing under the tree out front, his shoulders slouched, his face pale in the soft glow of the porch light. “He’s been waiting for hours,” Jason said, curious. “Do you know him?” Chloe glanced out the window, her gaze brushing over Austin’s tired figure before quickly looking away. “Just a neighbor,” she said flatly. Her tone was calm, emotionless. And with that, she walked into the house without a second glance.
“Chloe, the paperwork’s been sent in! You and Austin can finally come back to the city. It’s been three years since you left, and your dad and I miss you so much. Once you’re home, we’ll start planning your wedding!” Zoey’s voice brimmed with excitement and hope, but Chloe felt a suffocating weight settle in her chest. She didn’t know how to explain it to her mother—how to tell her that she and Austin weren’t the same anymore. Austin, the man who had once given up a secure job at Lumina to follow her to this remote rural town, no longer had room for Chloe in his heart.The thought of Natalie brought a shadow over Chloe’s face. Her breath hitched as bitterness crept in. Perhaps Zoey sensed her hesitation, as the silence on the phone stretched on too long. “Chloe…” Zoey’s tone softened, hesitant. “Your dad hasn’t been doing well. He’s been in the hospital for months now, but I didn’t want to worry you. He just wants to see you again…” Chloe’s grip on the receiver tightened, her heart sinking. “What’s wrong with Dad?” Zoey’s voice dropped, her words heavy. “The same old kidney issues. He’s stable, but…” She trailed off, her worry evident. “Look, there’s a train from Emberwood to Lumina next week. I’ve already bought you a ticket. You need to come home, Chloe.” She paused, her voice growing firm. “You have to come back.” The unease in Chloe’s heart grew. For the moment, she pushed aside the tangled mess of her relationship with Austin and nodded quickly, even though Zoey couldn’t see. “I’ll be there next week. I promise.” When the call ended, Chloe sat in a daze. The suddenness of it all had thrown her off balance. But maybe, just maybe, this was the opportunity she needed to finally resolve everything she’d been avoiding for so long. Her gaze fell on the framed photo on her bedside table. Her throat tightened as a wave of bitterness washed over her. Who would’ve thought that just three months ago, she and Austin had been planning their wedding? At the time, there hadn’t even been rumors of the transfers back to the city. She and Austin had spent three years in Emberwood and had all but given up on returning. They’d decided to settle down in this small town and build their lives here. The wedding preparations were modest. They’d applied for a small, run-down government apartment at the edge of the town—a cramped, twenty-square-foot unit with a shared kitchen in the hallway. When they moved in, Austin had held her hand, his usually stoic expression betraying a rare glimmer of emotion. His eyes were slightly red as he whispered, “I’m sorry it’s not much.” Chloe had smiled then, her heart full of love. She didn’t feel the slightest bit wronged. Back then, all she needed was him—and the bright future they would build together. She had even written a letter to her parents, eager to share the good news. But before she could send it, everything fell apart. That day, she had just finished putting up the red paper decorations for the wedding when Austin walked through the door—with another woman. “This is Natalie,” he said, his tone casual. “She’s new to our team, just moved here from the city like us.” Natalie was young, barely out of her teens, with wide, curious eyes that sparkled as she took in the room. “She’s not used to the group dorms,” Austin continued. “I thought it’d be better for her to stay here for a while.” Chloe froze. “I’ll sleep on the couch,” Austin added, glancing at Natalie with a faint smile. “You two can share the bedroom. She’s a city girl, just as delicate as you were back then.” His words stung, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint why. Chloe said nothing, quietly giving up half the bedroom to Natalie. She couldn’t argue—Austin had always been kindhearted, the type to help anyone in need. But that night, as Natalie chattered on about Austin, asking Chloe question after question, a seed of doubt took root. Chloe wasn’t blind. She could see the way Natalie looked at Austin, the spark of admiration in her eyes. To push away the unease, Chloe told Natalie their story. She and Austin had grown up together, childhood sweethearts in a close-knit neighborhood. Their parents had been best friends, and Mrs. Ford had often joked about Chloe becoming her daughter-in-law. When Chloe’s father passed away, Austin had been offered a secure factory job at Lumina—something any man in their town would dream of. But when Chloe was assigned to the rural relocation program, Austin gave it all up without hesitation to follow her to Emberwood. “Three years,” Chloe had said, her voice soft. “That’s how long we’ve been here together. We’ve been through so much, but we’ve made it work.” Natalie had listened intently, her eyes sparkling. “Austin’s amazing,” she’d said at last, her voice full of admiration. “You’re so lucky, Chloe. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.” Chloe had smiled, relieved by the blessing. For a moment, the knot in her stomach loosened. But it didn’t last. In the days that followed, Chloe began to notice the growing closeness between Austin and Natalie. It was subtle at first—shared smiles, lingering conversations—but it soon became impossible to ignore.
Chloe stared at the framed photo in her hand and let out a quiet sigh. The two transfer papers sitting on the table—the ones that would finally allow them to leave this rural town and return to the city—felt heavier than they should. She wondered if Austin would even want to go back with her. If he said yes, if he was willing to leave this place and return home with her, then maybe she could forget everything that had happened. Forget Natalie, forget the doubts, and pretend none of it had ever existed. Maybe, without Natalie around, all those inappropriate feelings of his would fade away. But then she thought of her mother, Zoey, and the worried tone in her voice when she mentioned her father’s illness. A flicker of worry crossed Chloe’s face, quickly replaced by resolve. If Austin didn’t want to go back, then it was time to end this. She would cut him out of her heart, once and for all. From that moment forward, they’d go their separate ways. Just as she was trying to think of how to bring it up, the sound of footsteps came from the door. Chloe looked up and saw Austin walking in—with Natalie right beside him. The two were walking close, their heads tilted toward each other as they laughed about something, their shoulders almost touching. Chloe’s gaze dropped to what they were carrying. Her expression darkened as she stood up abruptly. “Austin,” she said coldly, her voice sharp. “Why did you take my dad’s camera?” The laughter between the two immediately stopped. Austin and Natalie both froze, finally noticing Chloe standing in the room. Natalie fidgeted nervously, tugging at the hem of her jacket. She was quick to explain, her voice soft and pitiful. “It’s my fault. I just bought some new clothes and wanted Austin to take a few pictures for me.” She held out the camera with both hands, her eyes wide and apologetic. “I was going to ask you first, Chloe, but Austin said you wouldn’t mind and that it was okay if I used it.” Chloe’s jaw tightened. Here we go again. Another one of Natalie’s sweet, innocent excuses that somehow always painted Chloe as the unreasonable one. This wasn’t the first time. Over the past three months, Chloe had seen this play out far too often—a small favor, a little misunderstanding, and Austin stepping in to defend Natalie no matter what. Her patience, already worn thin, snapped. She held out her hand, her tone icy. “Next time, don’t touch my things.” At her words, Austin’s expression darkened. His sharp features set into a frown, his brows furrowed in displeasure. “Chloe, what’s with that attitude?” he said, his voice low and laced with irritation. “Natalie’s new here. She’s still adjusting to life out in the middle of nowhere. I just wanted to cheer her up with a few photos—what’s the big deal?” His tone was full of reproach, as if Chloe were the one in the wrong. Chloe’s face hardened. It felt like a heavy weight had settled in her chest, making it hard to breathe. Without another word, she stepped forward and snatched the camera out of his hand. Her eyes locked onto his, her voice cutting. “I said, don’t touch my things. That goes for you too, Austin.” Austin blinked, visibly startled. For a moment, he stared at her, confusion flickering across his face. “Chloe?” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. Since when had there ever been a ”yours” and ”mine” between them? They had grown up together, shared everything. She had always been his and he had always been hers. But before he could say anything more, Chloe’s expression shifted. Her face paled as her fingers rapidly scrolled through the photos on the camera. “Where are they?” she whispered, her voice trembling. Natalie tilted her head, her tone light and innocent. “Where is what?” Chloe’s fingers moved faster, her panic mounting with every moment. The photos she had taken of her parents—her father’s smile, her mother’s warm embrace—were gone. In their place were dozens of pictures of Natalie, posing in her new clothes, beaming in every shot. Chloe’s grip on the camera tightened as she turned to Natalie, her hands shaking with fury. “The old photos,” she demanded. “The ones I took of my parents. Where are they?” Natalie blinked, feigning confusion, before her lips parted in mock surprise. “Oh, those? The memory card was full, so I deleted them to make space. I didn’t know they were important…” Her voice trailed off, her tone laced with false regret. But behind her wide, apologetic eyes, Chloe caught a flicker of something else—a flash of smug satisfaction. “Enough!” Austin snapped, stepping between them. He placed himself protectively in front of Natalie, his voice low and firm. “She didn’t mean to, Chloe. It was an accident. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? You’re scaring her!” Scaring her? Chloe’s hands trembled as anger and heartbreak surged through her. She stared at Austin, the man who had once been her whole world, now standing in front of another woman, shielding her. He knew what those photos meant to her. He knew how much she had clung to them during the hardest times of her life. When she had left home in a hurry, her parents had bought the camera just to take a few family pictures before she left. Her father had placed it in her hands before she boarded the train. “Whenever you miss us,” he had said, his voice thick with emotion, “just look at these.” Those photos had been her anchor during her years in Emberwood, a reminder of the family waiting for her back home. And now, they were gone. Chloe looked at Austin, her eyes brimming with tears. His expression was cold, his body language defensive—as if she were the intruder in her own life. “An accident,” he had said. The disappointment hit her like a tidal wave, drowning out every lingering hope she had held onto. Her voice trembled as she spoke, each word heavy with pain. “This man,” she thought bitterly, “isn’t worth saving.”
At some point, Chloe realized her face was wet. Tears had blurred her vision, streaming down unchecked. Austin froze for a moment, stunned. This was the first time he had seen Chloe look so utterly heartbroken, so defeated. For a brief second, something squeezed at his chest, and his voice softened instinctively. “I’ll take the camera to the photo shop later,” he said hesitantly, loosening the arm that had been wrapped protectively around Natalie’s shoulders. “Maybe they can recover the pictures.” He reached out toward Chloe, as if to steady her. “This was my mistake. I should’ve told Natalie those photos were important to you,” he added. Chloe wanted to laugh—wanted to scoff. A mistake? Forgetting to explain? That was the excuse he was going with? Natalie knew. She knew. Chloe had caught her watching once, when she sat on her bed holding her father’s old camera, flipping through the pictures of her parents. She had even told Natalie the story—about the family portraits taken just before she left, and how much they meant to her. This wasn’t a mistake. Natalie had done it on purpose. And now, nestled against Austin, Natalie’s expression radiated smug satisfaction. Her eyes practically sparkled with triumph as if to say: Go on, tell him the truth. Let’s see who he believes. The answer was painfully obvious. Chloe forced her eyes shut, forcing the bitterness down. When she opened them again, her voice was calm, emotionless. “Austin, I need to talk to you. Alone.” Her tone betrayed none of the anger or hurt from moments before, as if she had already locked those feelings away. Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked into the bedroom, leaving the door open behind her. Austin frowned, tugging his sleeve free from Natalie’s grip. He hesitated for a moment before following her. Behind him, Natalie’s wide-eyed, innocent expression melted into a sly smirk. She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a quiet, derisive snort. Austin’s heart was already hers. What did she have to fear from a washed-up, tear-streaked woman like Chloe? The room was silent, heavy with unspoken words. Chloe was the first to break it. “My mom called today,” she said quietly. “She managed to pull some strings and get two transfer papers for the city.” Austin froze, his breath catching. For a moment, his face lit up with a mixture of disbelief and joy. “Two papers?” he repeated. “After three years… we’re finally going back?” He let out a breath of relief, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing. “I can’t believe it. We finally have a chance.” Chloe watched him, her chest tightening as memories of their time together flooded her mind. The struggles, the compromises, the dreams they had built together in this place. For a brief moment, she felt the sting of nostalgia, but it was quickly replaced by the cold reality of the present. “My mom hoped we’d go back together,” she continued, her voice steady. “She was already talking about planning our wedding in Lumina.” Austin’s smile faltered. Something about her tone—calm, detached—made him uneasy. “But I’ve been thinking,” Chloe said, looking him straight in the eye. “There’s no point anymore.” The smile vanished completely. His brows furrowed, and his expression grew tense. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded, his voice low. “I’ve already told you, I only see Natalie as a little sister.” Chloe let out a sharp laugh, one that was more bitter than amused. “A sister?” she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve heard that excuse so many times over the past three months, Austin. I could recite it in my sleep.” She shook her head, her tone cutting. “You’re not related. She’s not your sister. She’s just an excuse.” Austin opened his mouth to argue, but Chloe didn’t give him the chance. “When you followed me here three years ago, you gave up everything,” she said, her words deliberate. “This transfer paper… consider it repayment for everything you’ve done for me. I won’t use it to force you into anything. I won’t hold it over your head or guilt you into marrying me.” Her gaze hardened, though her voice remained calm. “Your heart isn’t with me anymore, Austin. Let’s end this here. Let’s make a clean break.” Austin’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “Chloe, stop it,” he snapped, his voice rising. “You’re overthinking everything again. The wedding is at the end of the month, just like we planned. Once we’re married, all this nonsense will stop.” With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Chloe stood there, staring at the closed door. She let out a long, shaky breath, her lips curling into a bitter smile. She didn’t even have the energy to argue anymore. Austin always thought marriage was the solution to every problem, as if tying the knot would magically make everything right. But Chloe refused to marry a man whose heart didn’t fully belong to her. No matter what, this wedding wasn’t going to happen. She was going to leave. She did some quick calculations in her head. The wedding was in eight days. Conveniently, the train to Lumina was scheduled to leave in exactly seven. Thank God she hadn’t told Austin about the train. If he knew, who knows what he might do to stop her? Chloe closed her eyes briefly. The plan was simple. She’d leave the day before the wedding. This chapter of her life, this place, this relationship—it would finally come to an end. Outside the room, someone had overheard every word. Natalie stood behind the wooden post, her heart racing in her chest. Two transfer papers. Her family had pulled every string they could and had barely managed to secure one—and even that had gone to her useless younger brother. If she could get her hands on one of those papers… Natalie’s mind raced. She’d grown up in the city, where life was tough but bearable. They weren’t rich, but at least they had food on the table and a solid roof over their heads. But here? In this godforsaken backwater town? She was sick of the cramped dorms, the bland food, the endless tedium. She couldn’t stand another day of it. At least Austin had made things bearable. He treated her well, made her feel comfortable. But what about the future? If he really married Chloe, where would that leave her? Natalie clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Austin wasn’t just any man. He was good-looking, well-educated, and came from a decent family. Back in Lumina, men like him were hard to come by—even for someone like her, who had grown up in the city. Her gaze darkened as she thought about the transfer papers Chloe had mentioned. She wanted both. The city and the man.
After that fight, Chloe and Austin fell into an icy silence, barely speaking to one another. But despite the tension, Austin still seemed determined to go through with the wedding. Every day, he brought home something new for the ceremony—a pair of wedding candles, a set of red satin decorations, or a box of invitations. Chloe, however, remained indifferent. She didn’t care about any of it. Her time was spent tying up loose ends at the coffee farm, making sure everything was in order before she left. Since she had made up her mind to leave, she wasn’t about to leave behind a mess for someone else to deal with. What Chloe didn’t expect was for trouble to find her so soon. One afternoon, Austin showed up at the coffee farm with Natalie in tow. Chloe barely had time to process what was happening. Natalie’s clothes were rumpled, her hair disheveled, and her eyes red and swollen from crying. She clung to Austin like a helpless child, burying herself in his chest. Chloe frowned instinctively. “What’s going on?” Before she could get another word out, the sound of a slap rang through the air. “Smack!” The force of the blow turned her head to the side, and she tasted the metallic tang of blood on her lip. “Chloe, how could you do something so disgusting?” Austin’s voice was cold as he jabbed a finger in her face. His eyes burned with anger, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “I can’t believe I ever trusted you. You’re so blinded by jealousy that you’d stoop this low—sending Natalie to collect from those thugs? If I hadn’t gotten there in time, who knows what might’ve happened to her!” His words hit harder than the slap itself. Chloe slowly turned her head back to face him, her cheek stinging, but her expression was eerily calm. “You think I did this?” she asked, her voice cold and steady. “Don’t accuse me without proof, Austin.” Austin’s anger didn’t waver. He glared at her like she was a stranger, someone he no longer recognized. “Proof? What else do you want? Natalie wouldn’t make something like this up!” Natalie, still crying, tugged gently on Austin’s arm as if to calm him down. Her voice trembled as she spoke, each word carefully chosen. “This… this is all my fault,” she sobbed, her tone pitiful. “I shouldn’t have gotten so close to Austin. I ruined your relationship, Chloe. I’m sorry. Please, just let me go. I’ll leave, okay? Just don’t hate me anymore…” Her words were like gasoline on a fire. The onlookers, who had gathered to watch the drama unfold, began murmuring among themselves. “I can’t believe Chloe would do something like that.” “Natalie’s a little naive, sure, but she doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.” “See? This is why they say jealousy makes women cruel.” Natalie’s lips curled ever so slightly into a satisfied smirk as she clung tighter to Austin. Her eyes met Chloe’s for a brief moment, full of mockery and triumph. Chloe’s expression hardened. Without warning, she stepped forward and yanked Natalie out of Austin’s arms, nearly sending her sprawling to the ground. Natalie let out a startled yelp, but Chloe didn’t flinch. Years of hard work on the coffee farm had toughened her up. She wasn’t the delicate, pampered girl she used to be, and dealing with someone like Natalie was hardly a challenge. “Chloe!” Austin shouted, rushing forward. But the sharp look Chloe shot him stopped him in his tracks. “You think I did this to her?” Chloe said, her voice sharp and cutting. “Fine. Let’s get to the bottom of it.” This was the first time Austin had seen this side of her—cold, resolute, and filled with a quiet fury that bordered on hatred. Chloe turned to Natalie, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “You said I sent you to collect money from those men. When? Where? Show me the proof. Bring out a witness—anyone who can back up your story.” The crowd went silent. In a small town like this, people knew Chloe was the one who handled the coffee farm’s finances. When it came to collecting debts, she was careful. Knowing some debtors could be dangerous, she always sent two strong men to handle it. She never sent anyone like Natalie. The murmurs began again, but this time, they were different. People glanced at Natalie with suspicion, their whispers growing louder. Natalie’s face paled, panic flickering in her eyes. If Chloe proved she was lying, it would ruin her. She’d already made enough enemies in this town with her entitled attitude and lazy work ethic. The only reason anyone tolerated her was because of Chloe and Austin. If the truth came out, her life here would become unbearable. Desperate, Natalie turned to Austin, her eyes wide and pleading. “Austin!” she cried, clinging to his arm. “You were there! You heard her tell me to go! You have to back me up!” Austin froze, his face conflicted. He looked down at Natalie, who was trembling and crying at his feet. Her words echoed in his mind, her desperation tugging at his heart. “Austin, please,” she whispered. “If you don’t help me, I’ll have nothing left. People will think I lied. How am I supposed to live with that?” Chloe stood a few feet away, her eyes locked on his. Her gaze was cold, filled with quiet defiance. She wasn’t begging him to take her side. She wasn’t pleading for his trust. She just stared at him, waiting to see what he would do. The room felt suffocatingly quiet as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. Finally, Austin looked away from Chloe’s unyielding gaze. He knelt down and gently helped Natalie to her feet. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I heard her. Chloe told you to do it.” The words left his mouth like a death sentence. The crowd gasped in unison. This was Austin—Chloe’s childhood sweetheart, the man who had followed her to this small town and stood by her side for years. If he was saying it, how could it not be true? The murmurs turned into outright condemnation. “So it’s true. Chloe really did send her.” “Unbelievable. No wonder even her fiancé is siding with Natalie.” “What kind of person does that?”
After Austin sided with Natalie and lied to protect her, Chloe stood frozen in place like a lifeless statue. She stared at Austin, her expression caught somewhere between a smile and tears, twisted with disbelief. She had thought that perhaps Austin had simply fallen out of love with her, that his heart had shifted toward someone else. That, she could have accepted, painful as it might have been. But this? Watching him abandon his principles, watching him lie and tarnish her name for Natalie’s sake—this was something she hadn’t anticipated. In that moment, Chloe’s heart turned cold. She had once hoped that even if they couldn’t be together as husband and wife, they could at least part as friends, cherishing the memories they had shared. But now, it was clear that to Austin, her love and loyalty were worth nothing. As Natalie clung to Austin’s arm, her smirk practically dripping with triumph, Chloe felt no anger, no bitterness. Everything she had once felt for these two people vanished the moment Austin spoke those damning words against her. Chloe’s gaze landed on Natalie, calm and detached. If you want him so badly, take him. I don’t keep trash. The murmurs of the coffee farm workers surrounded her, full of judgment and scorn. Without hesitation, Chloe unpinned her supervisor badge, handed it to the next manager in line, and turned to leave. Her decisiveness caught everyone off guard, including Austin. “Chloe!” he called after her, his voice desperate. But Chloe didn’t look back. A man like that was no longer worth her time. When she returned home, Chloe began packing up her belongings. This little house had been her pride and joy, a place she had poured her energy and love into, brick by brick. She thought about the icy winters she had endured, pasting the windows shut with homemade glue to keep out the cold drafts. She thought of the time she patched the roof with scavenged tiles, balancing precariously on a borrowed ladder. Every corner of this house was a reflection of her effort and hope for the future she and Austin were supposed to share. But now, the small vanity she had saved up for was cluttered with Natalie’s belongings. The sweater she had spent weeks knitting for Austin had been ruined by Natalie, who had offered a half-hearted apology about accidentally “washing it wrong.” There were too many little moments like this, each one a tiny dagger to Chloe’s heart. And every time she had tried to bring it up, Austin had dismissed her, calling her petty and jealous. It was as if, the moment Natalie showed up, every sacrifice Chloe had made for this home became invisible to him. She glanced around the room. The red wedding decorations she had once hung with such hope and joy now felt like cruel mockery. Chloe grabbed a bucket and headed outside to the well. When Austin came home that evening, the first thing he saw was a pile of red paper strewn across the muddy ground. The wedding decorations had been ripped down, their bright colors dulled by dirt and water. Natalie wasn’t with him for some reason, but he didn’t seem to care. Standing in the small yard, he let out a frustrated sigh. “Do you always have to make such a big deal out of everything?” he said, his tone sharp. “She’s just a young girl. Can’t you show a little grace?” Chloe didn’t even flinch. She had heard this lecture too many times before. The first time he had said those words, they had stung so badly she had to fight back tears. But she had learned quickly that crying only made things worse—especially when Natalie was around to see it. Instead, she had started sneaking off to the woods near the coffee farm, letting herself cry where no one could see. That had been her first clue that this house, this so-called “home,” was no longer hers. A place that couldn’t offer you comfort wasn’t a home—it was just a building. Now, his words barely registered. She continued tearing down the decorations, her expression blank. Seeing her indifference, Austin finally snapped. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her mid-motion. “Have you had enough?” he said coldly, his grip tightening. Chloe met his gaze, her voice calm but cutting. “If you don’t want me to tear them down, fine. Save them for when you marry Natalie. No point letting them go to waste.” Austin’s jaw tightened, his irritation clear. “I’ve told you a thousand times,” he said through gritted teeth. “The only person I’m marrying is you. No one else.” Chloe pulled her wrist free, her eyes full of disdain. “Marrying you is supposed to be some kind of honor?” she shot back. “Don’t flatter yourself, Austin. You think I’d be grateful for that? You’re delusional.” She dropped the bucket she was holding, the water splashing onto Austin’s shoes and pants, and turned to head back inside. Before she could make it to the door, Austin’s voice stopped her. “Apologize to Natalie,” he said firmly. Chloe froze, her hand on the doorframe. “She’s younger than you, and she didn’t know any better. Just apologize in front of everyone, and this whole thing will blow over.” Chloe turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she walked toward him. Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. “Austin,” she said, her voice trembling with fury, “you are the most disgusting, spineless man I have ever met.” Austin’s face darkened, his eyes stormy as he clenched his fists. “I’m just trying to fix this,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “If you don’t clear your name, how do you expect your application to move forward? You think the city will let someone with a reputation like yours back in?” Chloe’s blood ran cold. “My application?” she said softly. “You didn’t think about my application when you helped Natalie accuse me. You didn’t care what would happen to me then.” Austin’s expression flickered with guilt for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “Just do what I’m saying,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Once the application goes through, we can leave this place behind. We’ll go back to Lumina and start fresh. No more Natalie. Just us.” Chloe stared at him, the words she had once longed to hear finally spoken aloud. But it was too late. She felt nothing but exhaustion and disgust. “No,” she said firmly, her voice steady. “We’re done here.”
Even though Chloe felt disgusted by Austin’s demand for her to apologize, she couldn’t deny that the issue weighed heavily on her mind. If her application to return to the city wasn’t approved, all her efforts would be for nothing. After much deliberation, she decided to seek out Emily, the deputy mayor of Emberwood. Emily, a woman in her forties with a reputation for fairness, had always been someone Chloe could trust. When Chloe poured her heart out, Emily didn’t need much explanation to piece together what had happened. She listened quietly, her expression growing heavier with each word. Finally, Emily shook her head, her tone both sympathetic and firm. “I warned you, Chloe. It’s fine to help others when you can, but bringing someone like that into your home? That’s a whole different story.” With a long sigh, Emily’s gaze softened. “Poor girl. You’ve been through so much.” Chloe had held back her tears when Natalie accused her. She had refused to cry when Austin betrayed her. But now, hearing those simple words of understanding, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. She broke down in Emily’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Emily patted her back gently and waited until Chloe had calmed down before bringing her a basin of warm water to wash her face. “About Natalie,” Emily said with a sigh, “I can’t undo the damage, and I can’t clear your name. But let’s be honest—the real problem here isn’t you. It’s those men she was sent to deal with. At worst, you could be blamed for poor management, but that’s hardly a crime.” She paused, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. “If only your Austin had been honest…” Emily trailed off, her lips tightening. Clearly, she was thinking about not just Austin’s lies but his audacity in asking Chloe to apologize to Natalie. “Never mind,” Emily said with a decisive nod. “I’ll speak to the mayor myself. We’ve all seen the kind of person you’ve been these past three years, Chloe. Trust me—I’ll vouch for you. You’ll get your approval to return home.” Emily’s confidence brought tears to Chloe’s eyes again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. After thanking Emily profusely, Chloe returned home and began packing her belongings. She had already submitted her application and was now just waiting for the signed approval to leave Emberwood. As she packed, her thoughts drifted to her parents. She hadn’t seen them in years, and the thought of finally going home brought a bittersweet ache to her chest. But as she sorted through her things, Chloe realized there wasn’t much left of her own. She searched the house high and low, but it seemed most of her clothes had disappeared. They had always lived frugally, stretching every dollar to its limit. Yet just the other day, Natalie had paraded around in a brand-new dress made of expensive fabric shipped in from the city. That single dress had cost more than Austin’s entire month’s salary. Chloe was still stewing over this when the door suddenly creaked open. Austin walked in, holding a bright red wedding dress in his hands. He placed it on the table in front of her. “The custom dress is ready,” he said. “Try it on and see if it fits.” Chloe barely spared it a glance, her expression cold and indifferent. Austin frowned at her lack of reaction but chose not to press the issue. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow,” he reminded her. “Make sure it fits. If it doesn’t, I’ll get it altered.” Of everything Austin said, Chloe only focused on one part: the day after tomorrow. That meant tomorrow was the day the train would arrive to take her to Lumina. Her escape was closer than she had realized. The next morning, Chloe woke before dawn, packed her bags, and headed straight for the train station. She joined the line of people waiting to board, her suitcase in hand. The approval for her city application was still pending, but it would be mailed directly to Lumina for her to finalize. The process was a bit of a hassle, but at least it meant she could leave Emberwood behind for good. As the line inched forward, an inexplicable sense of unease began to creep over her. By the time she reached the ticket booth, that unease had grown into full-blown panic. She frantically searched through her bag, but no matter how many times she checked, the train ticket she had carefully tucked away the night before was nowhere to be found. The ticket agent gave her an impatient look. “Can I buy another one now?” Chloe asked, her voice trembling. “Sorry, tickets for this train are sold out,” the agent replied curtly. Heart pounding, Chloe grabbed her bag and bolted back toward home. She had to make it back in time to find the ticket. Missing this train wasn’t an option—there wouldn’t be another one for a month. Out of breath, Chloe shoved the door open, only to freeze in her tracks. Standing in the living room was Natalie, wearing her red wedding dress. Natalie flinched at the sight of her, clearly caught off guard. “Chloe, I didn’t mean to—” she stammered, her cheeks flushing. “Austin asked me to try it on. He thought we were about the same size, and he wanted to make sure it fit…” Natalie kept rambling, but Chloe wasn’t listening. She pushed past her and began tearing through the house, searching for her ticket. Austin appeared in the doorway, watching her with a calm, almost detached expression. “You won’t find it,” he said flatly. Chloe froze, her hands trembling. Her entire body felt like it had been submerged in ice. “What… what do you mean?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I ripped it up,” Austin said, his tone matter-of-fact. For a moment, Chloe couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. Then she turned to face him, her pale face contorted with disbelief. “You’re lying,” she said, her voice hoarse. “You’re lying. Tell me you’re lying!” “I told you,” Austin said firmly, his gaze steady. “We’re getting married. Whatever you need to do, it can wait until after the wedding.” Chloe’s lips quivered as she stared at him, her hands clutching at his arms in desperation. “Austin, give it back,” she begged. “Please, just give it back!” But Austin didn’t respond. Before Chloe could say anything else, the door burst open, and Emily rushed in, her face pale with urgency. “Chloe!” she cried, nearly out of breath. “Why haven’t you left yet? Your family sent a telegram—your father’s gravely ill. They say he doesn’t have much time left!”
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