An Inevitable Fate?

"You all should leave."

Jane spoke as if she was not affected by his words. Ren didn't speak again. He left with his friend, Edwin.

Crysta dashed out of the hospital. She needed to find her friend.

"I will come along with you."

Darren had followed Crysta. She nodded.

They both left the hospital in search of Rachel. It was midnight and there was no trace of Rachel.

_

In the middle of the road, Rachel was walking while taking small steps at a time. It was midnight and the weather was very chilly. There was not even a single soul on the road. Except for the sound of the gentle rustling of leaves, nothing could be heard.

She was walking with heels in her hand. It was a ten-centimeter heel, she had worn that whole day. She couldn't walk anymore in those.

Now that she was barefoot, her feet were getting cold and she could barely walk anymore. Tears had dried on her face leaving a patch behind. Her mascara was smudged and her makeup was ruined. But, she couldn't care about it.

She knew she had done the wrong thing by leaving the hospital. It was an impulse reaction. She couldn't control her emotions when Jane doubted her love for Eric. She got angry that instant and she didn't regret it.

She thought that if she was put in the same situation again, she would still do the same thing.

Getting accused of the incident did hurt her. Technically, she was with Aaron during those times. But, it was against her will. She didn't know what she had done wrong in the past that she was getting punished now.

"You took my parents from me. I didn't get to experience my childhood with my parents like other children. Then, you took my love, my husband from me. Why? Was it my fault for liking someone? Did I have no right to wish for happiness? And now, my father? Sad thing is, my life ended with Eric. What do I do? Mm?"

She was mumbling to herself with a self-mocking smile on her face.

"Sigh, I'm tired. I'm tired of this life without you. You are a cheater!"

Suddenly she burst out with tears. She looked tired and helpless. Without any strength, she crouched down, hugging herself against the cold wind.

God knows how long she sat there and cried her heart out. Her phone vibrated indicating a phone call. She wiped her tears and took out her phone. It was a call from Crysta. Her friend!

"Hello," Rachel's voice was hoarse due to her non-stop crying.

"Where are you?"

Crysta's voice came out a little stronger than she had thought.

"I... I don't know."

"What?"

She had walked quite a far distance now and wasn't sure of the place.

"I'm in front of ... a jewelry shop?"

"...?" Crysta was speechless. How was she supposed to find that so-called jewelry shop?

"Sometimes you act like a dumb person, I swear!"

Rachel pouted. "Rude."

"Stay there and don't move."

Crysta rolled her eyes, cutting the call.

Rachel tried to get up but staggered and nearly fell off. Somehow she balanced and stood firmly on her feet. This was the effect of crouching on the road for a long time.

She looked around, found a bench. Why didn't she see that before? Her legs would have been spared from the numbness.

After taking a seat, her thoughts wandered back to the banquet incident.

'Who might have done that if not for Aaron? Who took those photos in the first place? Maybe Aaron was actually behind all these? Who knows, he might have asked his person to take photos to ruin my life. Yeah, he thought of taking revenge for not accepting him! But... it damaged his image as well.'

Her head was exploding with a thousand thoughts. She pulled her hair in frustration.

A gentle tap landed on her right shoulder. She released a sigh of breath that she wasn't aware of holding it in.

"I thought you wouldn't find me until mor-"

Thinking that Crysta has come to pick her up, Rachel turned with relief. But it lasted only for a few seconds.

Her moist eyes bulged out with shock and anger.

'Hah, right, there is no end to this.'

"What are you doing here?"

"I should ask the same question to you."

"Did you follow me?"

Aaron just shrugged.

Rachel scoffed. Way to answer!

She got up and started to walk away. But, Aaron grabbed her hand to stop her from walking further.

"Why are you not wearing shoes?"

He frowned and reached for the heels.

"Leave me alone!"

She shouted, throwing the heels at him. They hit his c.h.e.s.t directly before falling onto the ground.