Chapter 9
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After that day, I threw myself back into my work with everything I had.
Whenever I hit a wall or didn’t understand something, I’d go to Evan for help.
He always replied quickly, patiently, and clearly–honestly, he was the best mentor I could have asked for.
With his guidance, I slowly started to improve, one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Austin and Ruth got back together. He even had someone let me know that the favor he’d asked of me be- fore was off the table now.
But not even two weeks later, I heard they’d broken up again–this time, Austin was the one who ended it.
Honestly, I could hardly believe it.
Austin had been hopelessly in love with Ruth, had done so much for her, and now that she’d finally come around, he was the one to call it quits?
It just didn’t make sense.
Then, after half a month of silence, Austin messaged me again.
“Are you free in the next couple of days? There’s something I want to talk to you about.
“How about that restaurant you always used to love?
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
I thought about it and replied, “I’ve been busy lately.”
After work, Evan happened to be nearby and offered to pick me up for dinner.
Maybe it was because of that honest conversation we’d had, but things between us had progressed so much in such a
short time.
After we finished eating, he took a call, so I waited for him outside the building.
That’s when someone suddenly appeared, slapped me hard across the face, and then started screaming at me, nearly hysterical.
“It’s you! Why is it always you? When did you and Evan get so close?”
Ruth’s eyes were bloodshot, her hands shaking violently.
“You just have to have them all, don’t you? Everyone falls for you–why?
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“Austin used to be crazy about me. Whatever I said, he’d do. Now, even though we’re together, he keeps thinking about you, always asking what you’re up to… How could he treat me like this?
“And you! You’re just a country girl. If it weren’t for us, who knows where you’d be–probably out in some field pick- ing corn!”
My cheek stung with pain.
“He doesn’t care about me. You’ve got it wrong.
“This is between you and him. If you want answers, you should ask him. If you want to know how much he cares about you, you should know better than anyone.”
Ruth let out a bitter laugh. “Really? Looks like all his devotion is going to waste, then.”
Just then, Evan came downstairs. He glanced at my face, then shot Ruth a cold look.
Ruth was clearly on the verge of losing it.
For a moment, I remembered the girl arguing with Austin in a cornfield seven years ago–so full of life, so bright.
“Call Austin,” I said.
Evan looked surprised but pulled out his phone and dialed Austin.
“Miley just got slapped.”
“What the hell? Who did it–where are you? Why are you with Miley?”
Evan’s voice was calm. “It was Ruth. Come pick her up.”
There was a long silence on the other end.
A few minutes later, Austin arrived.
He looked at me, then at Evan, as if wanting to say something but holding back.
“You two…”
I was about to speak, but Evan cut him off, his tone low and firm.
“Clean up your own mess, Austin. Don’t drag other people into it.”
Austin frowned, clearly annoyed. “My mess? Like you’re any better? Why is Miley with you anyway? I thought you never liked women.”
I took a deep breath.
“You should just take her home.”
Austin hesitated, glancing at me one last time, but in the end, he said nothing.
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He left with Ruth in tow.
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