Chapter 18
Since the investigation would take some time, we stayed in Boston.
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During this period, Elle’s family tried to pull strings almost daily, seeking leniency, but we refused every attempt.
The Caldwells quickly learned about what was happening and rushed back to Boston.
As I was leaving the police station, I saw Ryder waiting outside.
In just a few days, he looked much worse–haggard, with bloodshot eyes. When he saw me, guilt flashed across his face as he spoke my name softly. “Autumn.”
I ignored him completely and walked past as if I hadn’t seen him.
Before I could get down the stairs, Ryder rushed forward to block my path. “Can we talk? Please?”
I knew he was here because he’d been called in for questioning about the same
case.
He was probably there to plead for Elle, and I’d heard so many similar requests these past few days that my ears were practically calloused. I wasn’t going to give him the chance to even start.
“There’s nothing to talk about. Elle’s crime of soliciting assault has been confirmed without a doubt. My parents and I are going to pursue this to the full extent of the law, no matter who asks us not to. Instead of wasting time asking me to show mercy, why don’t you find some good lawyers for your dream girl? Maybe they can help her get a lighter sentence.”
Ryder froze in place.
The police had already shown him the surveillance footage.
He never imagined that I had been telling the truth that night–that Elle really had set up the whole thing.
Thinking back to his behavior that night, he wished he could slap himself across the face.
Why had he taken out his anger on a victim?
Why had he let his emotions control him and said such hurtful things?
Why couldn’t he have been more patient, more calm, and actually investigated what had happened?
Countless self–recriminations piled up in Ryder’s mind, leaving him deeply troubled. So when he saw that I had misunderstood his intentions, he panicked and quickly tried to explain.
“I’m not here for Elle-”
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11:36 AM Thu 24 Apr
18
“Then there’s even less to talk about.”
With that, I yanked my arm away and strode to my car.
After fastening my seatbelt, I saw Ryder standing in front of the car, stubbornly refusing to move.
Those usually cocky eyes were now filled with pleading.
“Autumn, fifteen minutes. Just give me fifteen minutes.”
I stared at him, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.
Knowing Ryder’s personality, I was sure that if I didn’t agree, he’d stand there blocking me all day.
I didn’t want to waste time arguing with him in the parking lot, so I nodded.
“Ten minutes.”
100%
Seeing me give in, Ryder looked like he’d caught a glimmer of hope and relaxed slightly.
He walked to the driver’s side window and spoke quietly.
“I was wrong about everything, Autumn. I shouldn’t have trampled on your feelings or said those hurtful things. I’m apologizing, and you can hit me or curse at me all you want–just please don’t shut me out completely, okay?”
“I always thought Elle was the one I wanted, but on our wedding day, when I heard you’d moved away, I finally realized that you’re the most important person in my life. I couldn’t lose you. That’s why I called off the wedding.”
By now, I couldn’t tell what was real or fake in Ryder’s words anymore.
Over the years, I’d heard countless sweet nothings from him that I’d thought were love.
But in the end, they all turned out to be my wishful thinking and self–delusion. If he really cared, if he really loved me, would he have abandoned me in life- threatening situations? Would he have denied me the chance to explain? Would he have pushed me away time and time again?
I’d fallen for his act once before.
So this time, no matter what he said, I didn’t take any of it to heart. It was all just a joke to me now.
“So?”
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