Chapter 2

After sending Anderson away, I returned to my carefree life.

I attended classes as usual during the day, and in my free time played sports and drank coffee with friends.

But one day after a shopping trip to Paris, I suddenly realized the birthday necklace my mom gave me was missing.

After thinking hard, I guessed it most likely fell into Anderson's suitcase that day.

After much hesitation, I still made the trip to his place.

Because the location was remote and narrow, I had to park my car at the entrance and walk into the alley.

When Milia saw me, she immediately rushed over, blocking my way with a wary expression.

"What are you doing here! You're not welcome here, leave now!"

She pushed me forcefully.

As we struggled, an O-shaped chain with blue crystals at her neckline flashed by.

That was my missing necklace.

My mind buzzed as I reached out to grab it.

Suddenly, Anderson's mother ran out.

Milia excitedly said to her:

"This is the bad woman who bullies Anderson!"

Anderson's mother was already mentally unstable. Incited by her words, she immediately started hitting me frantically.

"Bad woman, you're the one who made Anderson stop talking! Made him cry! I'll beat you to death!"

She had tremendous strength. My face instantly turned red.

But as I struggled to grab her hand, we both fell to the ground.

"Mom!"

Standing at the alley entrance, Anderson's eyes widened as he ran over with long strides.

Anderson's mother instantly became like a wronged child, throwing herself into his arms.

Milia cried, her expression frightened:

"Linda came here for no reason to cause trouble for us, and even hit your mother."

The fall had caused my ankle to swell up badly, now throbbing like needles.

But hearing her complete lies, I grabbed her collar and pulled out the necklace.

Suppressing my anger, I said: "This is mine! You're a thief, and I didn't hit anyone!"

Milia's face flushed red as she bit her lip pitifully:

"I found this. If you had just said so, I would have returned it. Why did you have to hit people?"

"I didn't hit—"

"Enough!"

Anderson coldly interrupted me, scooping up his mother.

Looking down at me: "Linda, stop making excuses."

With that, as if even looking at me was disgusting, he turned and left.

Milia smugly lifted her chin at me, following Anderson inside.

A heavy door slam was like a slap across my face.

I pretended not to care, but my eyes still burned.

After sniffling, I slowly got up and shuffled out, supporting myself against the wall.

The sky darkened. This area was a mixed bag, and passing men looked at me with ill intent.

Finally, seeing I was helpless, a man reeking of alcohol approached me.

"Hey beautiful chic, need some help?"

His large hand reached toward my face.

I backed away, my fingers trembling as I reached for my phone. But just as I was about to call the police,

The man suddenly screamed and fell to the ground.

I looked up sharply to see Anderson, who had just thrown a punch.

Full of hostility, he approached me. I nervously swallowed.

"What are you going to—ah!"

Before I could finish, my body was lifted into the air.

He silently carried me on his back, walking out quickly and steadily.

My body stiffened, my eyes suddenly wet, my mind uncontrollably flashing to scenes from before.

A year ago, after fighting with him, I fell and got injured while hiking in the mountains.

I held tightly to Anderson's back and gave in:

"Please don't leave me behind. I won't fight with you anymore."

"There are bugs and mosquitoes and snakes here! I'm so scared..."

Perhaps my submissive appearance was too funny.

Laughter kept escaping from his throat, his body trembling slightly with it.

He carried me on his back for an hour on that path.

When we got down, he was soaked through.

But he never put me down for a single second.

Anderson walked very fast. When we got to the car, he roughly shoved me inside.

His tone seemed angry yet lecturing.

"Are you out of your mind? Wearing a dress and running to a place like this! Do you know what kind of people are here? I—"

He rambled on for a while before realizing he'd said too much.

Abruptly stopping, he irritably ran his hand through his hair.

As he turned away, his eyes darkened: "Linda, don't come here again."

"This isn't a place for you."

The last sentence was both light and heavy, quickly merging with the night.

I didn't want to listen anymore, pathetically starting the car in a hurry, afraid that if I stayed any longer, I'd expose my reddened eyes.

After returning, I came down with a high fever.

Mom kept me at the family home, and I lay sick for three whole days.