Faded love 20

Chapter 20 

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At night, he would ask if I wanted to eat with him. 

Everything was quiet-too quiet. 

But I knew this quiet wasn’t peace. It was a cage. 

On the third day, Yuanzi secretly called me. 

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Wendy, are you okay? 

The news cycle is still churning. They’re digging into the details of your fake death.” 

My hand tightened around the phone; a knot tightened in my chest. “Who’s leaking it?” 

“I suspect-” 

I closed my eyes. 

Of course. 

Sybil, Rory’s secretary. 

Three years ago, I was the one who handed over that surgical consent form. 

Three years later, she had become Z Group’s “interim PR lead.” 

She knew everything-and knew exactly how to stab me in the heart with a single 

stroke. 

“I’m doing interviews now,” Yuanzi said through her teeth. “I told them you had a breakdown and ran away. I said I stayed by Rory’s side those three years.” 

The pen in my hand snapped with a sharp crack. 

I was helping him construct an image of “rational” and “devoted,” 

while I was being recast as a lunatic, a liar, a deserter. 

I let out a small laugh. “This storyline is uglier than death.” 

“I can help you run,” Yuanzi whispered. “I know a private investigator. They can get you a fake passport-” 

“Don’t.” 

I cut her off. “He’s watching me.” 

I turned to the window. 

Sure enough, he stood at the far end of the garden, a cup of coffee in his hand, his gaze resting quietly on me- 

like a domesticated wolf: mild to the eye, never releasing its prey. 

That night, he broke his routine and waited at the dining table. 

11:37 Sat, Oct 18 

The light above was a warm amber; the cutlery gleamed faintly. 

When he saw me, he smiled. 

“Come eat.” 

I walked over and sat down. 

“Sybil’s been busy,” I said evenly. 

His hand paused-just for a second. 

“PR is my responsibility. It’s what she should do.” 

“Is she clearing your name? 

Or playing a part for you?” 

He looked up; his eyes cooled by degrees. “What are you implying?” 

“I’m saying,” I met his gaze, “I told the media I have mental health issues.” 

The air froze. 

He was silent for a few seconds. 

“I shouldn’t have let you say that.” 

“But I’m your woman,” I said softly. 

He suddenly laughed, but the smile never reached his eyes. 

“You think I need anyone else?” 

I lifted my head and held his stare. 

“Then what do you need?” 

He looked at me, voice low. “You.” 

My chest clenched tight. 

“What you’ve got is a body you already destroyed.” 

“Then I’ll rebuild it,” he said softly. “Brick by brick. I’ll make it whole again.” 

“This is imprisonment,” I said through my teeth. 

“I’m saving you.” 

I laughed-my whole body shaking. “Saving me? 

You ruined me once. You want to do it twice?” 

He reached out and brushed my cheek. 

For one instant, his eyes were unbearably gentle. 

“Wendy, it’s too noisy out there. 

Only here is safe.” 

Chapter 20 

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11:38 Sat, Oct 18 

“Safe?” I asked in a low voice. “Is the place where our child died also called safe?” 

His face went rigid. 

The air pressed so hard I could barely breathe. 

“Enough,” he said under his breath, his voice trembling. “Don’t bring that up.” 

“Why not? 

That was our child!” I almost screamed. “You didn’t even let me see a grave!” 

He lurched to his feet and slammed a fist onto the table. 

The glass shattered; water ran off the edge. 

He closed his eyes, veins standing at his temples. 

“I didn’t bury-” 

I stared at him. “What?” 

“That day… 

after I signed, I didn’t survive it either. 

I had it taken to the sea.” 

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