Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Although Camila had long known they didn’t care about her, Arthur’s words still struck a nerve, sending a dull ache through her chest. He didn’t even bother to pretend–not even for show.
But she hid it well. From her unwavering, composed expression, no one could see the wound his words had left behind.
“Alright.” Her voice was calm, almost indifferent.
did your t
Arthur’s brow furrowed. “What did you just say?”
Camila lifted her gaze, looking directly at the four people standing on the second floor. Her tone was steady, devoid of hesitation.
“Alright. I’ll leave the Jackson family right now. From this moment on, we are no longer connected. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, you don’t have to worry–I won’t trouble you again,” she said.
‘Even if I die out there, I will never come back: She added the last thought silently to herself.
And just like that, all attachment to this place was severed. Those three years had left her broken beyond repair. She had already learned her lesson. She wondered. How can I still long for a family that has never truly been mine?”
This time, she didn’t hesitate. Even with the sharp pain shooting through her injured leg, she pushed forward. Step by step. she moved faster, her determination outweighing her discomfort.
For the first time in years, there was a glimmer of light in her dark eyes–the kind that comes from breaking free.
Within moments, she reached the front door, pulled it open, and stepped outside. She never looked back. Her silhouette was firm, decisive–without a trace of hesitation.
Harry’s pupils contracted in shock. He wanted to chase after her, but the searing pain in his stomach drained all his strength.
He could only watch helplessly as the door slowly swung shut, his voice hoarse with desperation as he roared, “Camila! Come back-
His shout echoed through the vast living room, consuming the last of his energy.
But Camila never!
turned around. She vaguely heard someone yelling behind her, but the words were muffled
muffled, distant.
It didn’t matter. The door had already closed. Her right ear had never been great at picking up sound anyway, and whatever they were shouting. it had nothing to do with her anymore.
The moment she stepped beyond the Jackson family’s gates, the weight pressing on her chest finally lifted. For the first time in years, she could breathe.
Her steps felt lighter, quicker. She walked for about five minutes before spotting someone in the distance.
It was late at night–seeing a man suddenly appear made her instinctively wary. Her first reaction was to step back, slipping into the shadows, away from the streetlamp’s glow.
The man walked briskly, and as he got closer, she recognized him immediately. He was Michael, Harry’s friend.
Her strongest impression of Michael could be summed up in words: sharp–tongued and cruel.
She still remembered their first meeting. He had given her a once–over, scrutinizing her from head to toe, before casually remarking. “So shabby. If you didn’t look a little like Harry, I never would’ve guessed you were part of the Jackson family.”
Harry had been standing right there. And he hadn’t said a word to stop it. He had only let out an indifferent breath
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Chapter 13.
laughter, making no effort to defend her.
Back then, the words themselves hadn’t hurt as much as Harry’s silence.
She had been fifteen She had finally found her family, yet when she was humiliated in front of them, not a single person had stood up for her.
At that moment, she had felt like nothing more than a stray dog–pitiful and unwanted.
Michael walked past her without noticing the figure hidden in the shadows.
Her gare followed him until he stepped into the Jackson family’s villa. That was when she realized–he was probably here to Treat Harry
Stepping out from the darkness, she quickened her pace.
Originally, she had planned to find a hotel for the night and look for a job in the morning. But now, she had changed her mind. She was leaving Sancho
Camila had overheard everything the Jackson family discussed in the study.
It was clear–Arthur intended to bow to William’s demand and force her to beg before Emily’s hospital bed in a show of remorse. But she wondered. Why should I
Arthur and Belinda both knew that it was Agnes who had pushed Emily down the stairs, leaving her in a vegetative state. And yet, they still insisted that Camila take the fall.
She had once longed for their love, and for that, she had paid the price–a five–year prison sentence, a broken leg, partial hearing loss, and the loss of a kidney.
Her body had been torn apart, battered beyond repair. And now, they wanted her to pay for Harry’s recklessness, too.
For the sake of the Jackson Group, she had no doubt they would come after her again. She resented the Jackson family–but she feared William even more.
She had already endured his cruelty once in prison. That time had been the darkest chapter of her life. She refused to live through it again. Her body wouldn’t survive another round of torment.
She had to leave Sancho. The farther, the better. Somewhere they would never find her. Somewhere she could live in peace, away from their grasp.
She counted the cash in her hands–650 dollars, all given to her by Hazel. The thought of Hazel made her vision blur. She wondered, Would I ever have the chance to repay her kindness?
Standing by the roadside, she spent a long time trying to hail a taxi before one finally pulled up.
“Where to?” The driver rolled d
down the window.
“How much to Neelum City Railway Station?”
“Leaving Saucho, huh? If it were daytime, a hundred dollars would be enough. But this late at night, it’ll cost dollars. That okay?”
Camila didn’t hesitate. She got in. She had already made up her mind.
more-
She would leave Sancho as soon as possible. Once she reached Neelum City Railway Station, she would take a train to Glares City–a remote city in northeastern Laystoland.
She had heard that property there was the cheapest in the country. Several thousand dollars was enough to h….
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Chapter 131
live. It was perfect for someone like her.
As long as she stayed away from big cities, avoided crowds, and disappeared into a cold, desolate, resource–depleted place like Glares City, the Jackson family would never find her. For the first time in years, she felt a spark of hope.
Leaning against the car window, she gazed out at the glittering skyline of Sancho.
Towering skyscrapers lined the streets, their facades illuminated by neon lights flashing designer logos and high–end advertisements, adding to the city’s dazzling charm.
The soft, golden glow of the streetlights washed over her face, casting a rare warmth on her cold features.
The roads were nearly empty, and the taxi sped through the quiet city. Two hours later, she arrived at Neelum Station.
Railway
Camila took out her ID and bought a ticket. Luck was on her side–she managed to get one for the I AM train. Just one more hour, and she’d be gone.
At this late hour, the waiting hall was nearly deserted. She found a quiet corner and sat down to rest.
Fatigue crept over her, her body heavy with exhaustion. Between her weariness and her impaired hearing, she barely registered the faint announcements over the intercom.
Some time passed before another broadcast echoed through the station. “Attention, passengers. The train from Neelum City to Glares City is now boarding. Please have your tickets and belongings ready and proceed to the gate for check–in.”
Camila’s eyes snapped open. She quickly turned toward the gate. A line had already formed.
Excitement surged through her chest. As long as she got past this checkpoint and onto the train, the Jackson family would never be able to find her again.
She wasted no time. Standing up, she hurried to join the queue. Step by step, she followed the passengers ahead of her, gripping her ticket tightly.
When it was finally her turn, she immediately handed it over to the ticket agent.
Just as the agent reached for it, a large hand suddenly shot out from the side, enveloping both her slender fingers and the ticket in an iron grip.
Camila’s breath caught. She turned sharply, her pupils contracting in shock.
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