“Blythe! You’re a genius! The teacher said she wants to exhibit your piece next to hers this time! You’re going to be in her art show! I’m jealous, so jealous!”
Noah practically bounced in his seat, his voice overflowing with excitement.”
He had been rambling non–stop ever since we came down from the mountains, and even as the city skyline rose around us, he was still going strong.
Out there in the open air, with only nature, brushes, and our teacher’s quiet guidance, I had felt something unlock. Free from noise, free from distraction, I had truly grown.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be offered something like this?”
And yet, the joy was bittersweet.”
I regretted it deeply.”
If I hadn’t fallen so hard for Dexter at first sight, if I hadn’t thrown away my chance to keep studying, maybe I would’ve already stood on an even brighter stage by now.!!
But thankfully, life had given me a second chance. And I cherished it with every heartbeat.”
“But what was Imogen saying on the phone earlier? Something about covering up more? She was being all weird and cryptic, don’t tell me your work hasn’t even debuted yet, and you already have obsessive fans?”
Noah kept teasing, but my mind drifted back to Imogen’s strange warning on the phone.”
She had told me I’d understand everything once I got into the city.”
“Blythe! Blythe. Look! Is that your photo?” Noah suddenly shouted.“]
I followed his gaze and nearly stood up in the moving car from the shock.
All across the streets of Stockholm, on lamp posts, traffic lights, and bus stops, were missing person posters.
With my face on them.”
Every route leading to the studio was lined with them. They were everywhere.”
“Obsessive fans? I’m so jealous. Your work hasn’t even debuted yet, and you’ve already got people going wild for you!” Noah was still trying to joke.
Before I could respond, Imogen had already turned on the television and silently pointed to the screen.
On–screen, Dexter looked worn down, his voice hoarse and trembling.”
“Blythe Griggs, I know I was wrong. Please come back, okay? You can yell at me, hit me, scream if you want, just don’t leave me.””
He buried his face in his hands. After a few seconds of strained silence, he lifted his head, and though he tried to steady himself, his voice still broke.”
“Blythe… after you left, I finally understood how much I need you. Please, don’t punish me like this. I can’t breathe without you. Come back.“I
Watching him sob on live television, hearing him plead, left me unmoved
There was no heartbreak. No ache. Only annoyance.
Annoyance at the mess he had made. Annoyance at the three years I gave him, years he never once cherished.
And now? He had already married Heidi, yet he still wanted to pull me back into his chaos.
ཋ ཌ འ འ ེ ཆ ར་
“When are we leaving for South Africa? I haven’t packed the medicine yet!” I didn’t want to watch anymore. I turned off the TV and asked Imogen.
“Not even a little moved, Blythe? That man had his plea translated into so many languages and plastered across every billboard in the city! It’s been over half a month!”
“So disgusting. He already married someone else and still comes chasing after me like this? What, does he want me to be his mistress now? Imogen, please, don’t let anyone know I’m here!“M
“What? He’s married?” Noah, who’d been joking just seconds ago, turned stone–serious. He stepped outside with his phone and came back a few minutes later, grinning again.”
Imogen glanced at him with curiosity while I quietly returned to my room to pack my things.
A few hours later, Dexter shattered the coffee table in a fit of rage. Blood poured freely from his hand.
“Who tore down my missing person posters? Put them back up! Do we look like the Laurence family needs their pathetic hush money?”
“No can do, President Laurence. Even a mighty dragon can’t win against the snakes in their own den. And the Tanner family? Word is, they’ve got ties with the local mafia!”
Every missing–person poster about Blythe had been taken down across Sweden. When questioned, the explanation was laughable: apparently, some young master from the Tanner family found them irritating.!!
That night, Dexter tried to go in person, only to be blocked right at the doorstep.
6:40 AM
M
Back in the US, he had never endured this kind of humiliation. But now, here, he was completely powerless.%
“Find another way to track her down! I refuse to believe she’s vanished!“%
C
“President Laurence, maybe let us stay behind and continue the search, while you return to the US. You’ve been gone nearly a month. At this rate, the company won’t survive it. And that ten–billion loan to the Ambrose family still hasn’t paid off, it’s turning into a disaster!“#
Ever since Dexter had flown off to Sweden on impulse to search for Blythe, the entire company had ground to a halt.
“No! I’m staying here. I have to find Blythe!” Dexter had completely lost his grip on reason. He couldn’t even bring himself to imagine a future without her in it.”
“President Laurence! The legal department called. Your divorce cooling–off period is about to end. There are some final changes in the agreement with Miss Ambrose that need your signature.“”
“Go back first. Finalize the divorce, bring the certificate back, and then return. I think Miss Griggs would feel far more at ease that way,” the secretary advised, pulling every string he could to salvage both his job and the company.%
Blythe had made up her mind to disappear. Whether Dexter remained in Sweden or not would change nothing.”
It was only the mention of the divorce certificate that finally pushed Dexter to agree. He had to return to the US, settle everything, and come back to find her.”
6:40 AM M
