Chapter 255
When i heard the news, I immediately pulled over
“How could he just disappear?” I began to worry. Guilt for Russel began to food my heart like a tidal wave.
Chloe was on the verge of tears, “I don’t know, he had a row with his family three days ago and then vanished. We cant find him.”
Knowing Russel, he wasn’t the type to just up and leave. So I figured the fight he had with his family three days ago must’ve been intense enough to push him to this
Because of my messed up decisions, Russel was put under a lot of stress and pain.
My anxiety was skyrocketing, if anything happened to him, I wouldn’t be able to handle the blame.
111 try to get in touch with him, you guys keep looking for him at his old apartment and the hospital he used to work at Iresponded
Chloe choked out a thank you’ and hung up the phone..
I was in no mood to go to the office, right now the most pressing matter was finding Russel
i tried calling Russel, but his phone was off. He didn’t respond to any of the messages and video calls I sent him on WhatsApp, it was as if he had just vanished from the face of the earth
Then I drove to his old apartment. Russel had given me a key card and the password to his place, so I dug out the card from my car and headed straight to his apartment
I opened the door and looked in the apartment, but I still found no sign of Russel. There was even a layer of dust on the furniture.
After looking for him for a while, I rushed to the hospital where Russel used to work, but still no luck.
By nightfall, I was still clueless
I gave Mitch a call and told him about Russels disappearance, asking him to lend a hand in the search.
“Alright, I try to get in touch with him” Mitch might not have been in touch with Russel recently, but they used to be tight. He wouldn’t just shrug it off.
At the end of the day it was all because of me I caused the rift between Russel and Neil, pushing him away from his best friend.
As I thought about it, guilt and regret began to wash over me. I didn’t want to hold Russelback and didn’t want him to waste his time on me, but the outcome was still the same I ended up hurting him.
It was totally unfair for such a great guy to have to endure all this stress and pain just because he liked me.
I sat in my car, feeling lost. What should I do? Or rather, what could I do to make up for the hurt 1 caused Russel?
I got lost in my thoughts as tears silently rolled down my cheeks, I was oblivious until my phone rang, bringing me back to reality and making me wipe the tears off my face
It was a call from Neil.
“Russel’s missing?” Neil asked as soon as I picked up.
Yeah, his family hasn’t been able to get in touch with him for three days” My voice choked up as soon as I opened my mouth.
Neil remained silent on the other end of the line, and after a while, he asked calmly. “You’re so worried about him that you’re crying?”
I took a deep breath. “Yes, I’m really worried about him. You’ve been friends with him since you were kids, arent you worried about him?”
Neil scoffed on the other end of the line. “He wasnt nice to me before”
I was speechless. From a moral standpoint, Russel liking me did indeed hurt Neil, since I was Neil’s ex-wife
Choosing to date Russel was like a slap in the face to Neil, with his ego, he definitely wouldn’t be able to take it.
“Neil, could you help me find him? In fact, this entire mess was caused by me. If I had been more cautious and rejected him, none of this would’ve happened. If you really want to take out your anger and resentment on someone, let it be me “I said seriously
I was already a mess, a bit more wouldn’t make a difference. As long as Russel could let go of his feelings for me and stay away, his future would be bright
He shouldn’t end up with nothing, like I did in my past life.
Neil didn’t respond, he just hung up.
1 rubbed my temples, feeling tired and helpless. I sat in the car quietly for a while, then went home to take a bath and unwind. Ever since Harold left, I’ve been living alone in this big house. The scary part was that I was getting used to it.
After my bath, I put on my pajamas and went out onto the balcony. The balcony directly faced Neil’s, and although there was some distance between us, I could still make out what was going on over there.
The lights in Neil’s house were all on, whether he was in Sapphire River Community or not, there was always someone guarding his villa, so the lights were always on
The wind was getting colder and colder. I wrapped my pajamas tighter around me and was about to go back to bed.
Just then, the door on the opposite balcony opened, and Neil stepped out. It looked like he had just taken a bath. He was still wearing a black bathrobe, seemingly unfazed by the cold wind
When he saw me, Neil picked up his phone and sent me a message, “Are you spying on me taking a bath?”
frowned. What was he on about?
Clapier
I replied, “No.”
After receiving my message, he opened all the doors on his balcony and turned up the lights. That’s when I noticed the white bathtub in his room.
He was just taking a bath, and I had been staring at his house. It did look a bit like I was peeping.
He sent me another message, “Are you waiting for me to help you find Russel?”
I did have some hopes for Neil, but I knew he wouldn’t help me.
I called him directly. “You don’t have to help me, but please don’t mock me.”
“So, one moment you’re saying I can vent all my anger on you, and now I suddenly can’t mock you? Are you messing with me?” Neil retorted.
“I hope you can help me find Russel. I was starting to get frustrated. “But I don’t need your help now. You’re too cold; I can’t afford the price you’re asking ”
I hung up after saying that. Despite the distance, I could still feel Neil’s anger.
I closed the balcony door, blocking out the unsettling atmosphere, and went back to my room to rest.
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In the middle of the night, my phone suddenly rang. I picked it up groggily, only to hear Russel’s desolate voice. “I really miss you…”
I snapped awake. I couldnt believe Russel was the one who called.
“Russel, where are you right now? I’m coming to find you!” I asked hurriedly
“Nah, don’t bother. I just need some time. I’m at home being pushed into a shotgun wedding and forced to marry a woman I don’t love.” Russel said with a bitter chuckle. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this, but I can’t help it.”
I felt a pang of sadness. “You’re such a fool! There are plenty of fish in the sea; it’s not worth it for someone like me.”
“I don’t know, but I can’t control my feelings. Did you get the ring I sent you?” Russel asked me.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful,” I replied, as my voice was heavy with emotion.
“Could you take a picture with it on and send it to me? I want to see how it looks on you and keep the photo as a keepsake.” Russel’s voice took on a pleading tone.
