Chapter 18: "Run To You"
1601 Words
Erika froze mid-stride outside the study room, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but her mother’s voice—full of worry—broke through the door.
"Do you think we made the right decision?" her mom asked, her tone soft and uncertain.
Her dad sighed heavily. "Yeah, we did. There was no better way, hon."
"I'm worried about Erika. I've never seen her this depressed," her mom said again, the pain in her voice unmistakable.
A sharp ache gripped Erika’s throat. She had tried so hard to hide her sadness since Alex left. Was it really that obvious? The weight of her parents' worry pressed on her chest.
"She'll get by," her dad replied, his voice thick with concern. "If we hadn't done anything, things might've turned out worse. She's still our baby, hon… I—" His voice cracked, and Erika’s heart clenched. "I'm not ready to lose her yet. She’s too young to be married. I want to see her go places, to succeed, to be more than just someone’s wife. I have so many dreams for her."
"I know she’ll be amazing. I believe in her," her mom reassured softly. "She was alive when Alex was around. But now, it’s like she’s not the same. That blank look in her eyes—it’s the same one I had when you left."
Erika bit her lip hard to keep from breaking down. She hadn’t realized how deeply her actions had shaken her parents. All they had ever wanted was to love and protect her. How did she end up hurting them like this? Guilt gnawed at her chest.
Without thinking, she ran into the study room and threw herself into their arms.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," she sobbed, her words tangled in the rush of tears.
"Baby, stop crying," her dad said gently, his voice low and soothing.
"I lied," she choked out between sobs. "Nothing happened between Alex and me. I only said that because I thought it would make him stay. I thought..."
The bitter memory of Alex’s anger rushed back in waves. She could still see the hurt in his eyes when she had said those words. How had she been so stupid?
"I knew about Uncle Jordan’s plan. I just couldn’t stand the thought of being away from him. I was so scared—scared I couldn’t handle the pain of missing him. But... it’s happening anyway."
The realization hit her like a cold wave. She had been reckless, foolish. Now it was too late. Her lies hadn’t just pushed Alex away—they had shattered the trust of the two people who had loved her most.
Her mom and dad hugged her tighter, and despite the shame swirling inside her, she felt lighter. For the first time in what felt like forever, she could breathe.
She looked up at her parents when no scolding came. "You’re not mad?"
Her dad kissed her forehead softly. "I’m just relieved."
"Me too," her mom added with a small, tearful smile. "I’m glad you told us, baby."
"I’m sorry for making you worry."
"You love Alex that much?" her dad asked, his voice quieter now.
"You really do," her mom added softly, her gaze searching Erika’s face. It wasn’t a question.
Erika nodded, her heart heavy. "But he hates me now."
Her dad ruffled her hair. "If he hated you, he wouldn’t have agreed to the marriage."
"He didn’t really agree, Dad. He had no choice."
"I don’t think that’s true," her dad said. "Didn’t Alex tell you his dad wouldn’t let him marry you unless he finished law school? He could have chosen freedom."
"How could he have a choice? Wasn’t it you who brought him here to pressure him into marrying me?" Erika’s voice was quiet, but the hurt in it was raw.
"We had to know if he really wanted to marry you," her mom said gently. "We never wanted to trap either of you. That’s why your Uncle Jordan came up with the idea. We just didn’t realize it would hurt you this much."
"But what about me? Why didn’t I get a choice?" The question lingered in the air, unanswered.
"Because you already made yours when you chose to stay silent that night," her mom replied, her voice soft but firm.
Erika had no words to argue. It was true. She had chosen silence. And now, she was left to deal with the consequences.
"You know how he feels about his father’s career. Do you really think he would give in to that life just to run away from you?" her dad added, his voice quiet but insistent.
She said nothing, her mind spinning. But Alex hadn’t even said goodbye. That had to mean something… didn’t it?
"Well," her mom said softly, a knowing glimmer in her eyes, "she doesn’t see how Alex looks at her when she’s not looking."
Her brow furrowed. How did Alex look at her? She remembered the way he kissed her—like she was the only one that mattered. The whispered confession: I love you. I love you so much.
But that didn’t explain his anger. Why was he so angry?
She was confused. She didn’t want to hope, didn’t want more pain. But she kept waiting for him to call, checking her phone in vain every day, only to end up disappointed. Still, she kept waiting. It was the only way to survive her loneliness.
"It seems they have unresolved issues," her mom said, glancing meaningfully at her dad.
He raised an eyebrow but nodded in agreement. Erika could feel the unspoken words between them. Her parents understood each other without saying a word—just like she and Alex used to. God, she missed that. She missed him. She would do anything to go back.
"I have an exhibit in New York next month," her dad said suddenly. "Would you like to come with me?"
Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open. "Dad?"
"Vacation’s coming up. Just do well in school. We can visit Alex."
"Deal!" she squealed, hugging them both, tears spilling—this time, from happiness.
That night, she couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about seeing Alex again. She missed him so much it physically hurt. But she was going to see him! She hugged her pillow tightly. It was his. His scent was fading, but she held onto it like a precious memory.
"How are you without me?" she whispered to the stars. "Because I’m barely breathing without you, Alex..."
Across the ocean…
Alex was grumpy the entire day. The weather was miserable, and it didn’t help his mood.
He opened f*******: absentmindedly as he headed to class. It had become a routine—log in, check her profile, log out. His way of keeping up with her. But today, one post hit him like a punch to the gut:
On my way home. I'll come running to you. ♥
What the hell was that supposed to mean? Who was she running to?
Frustrated, he kicked at the slush on the sidewalk, only to regret it as dirty snow splashed onto his boots. He hated this weather. Wet snow, dirty snow. Just like his mood—cold, messy, miserable.
He shouldn’t have checked her profile again. But how else could he survive two months without her?
He still remembered crying that first night in New York. He had called her, only to hang up the moment he heard her voice. It was too painful. And he never called again. He was afraid he’d give in, run back home, and break the promise he made to his father.
What a joke. He had resented Pepper for forcing him into marriage. And now he was sacrificing his freedom just to keep the chance to marry her someday.
He had craved distance. Now that he had all the space in the world, all he wanted was to go home, sneak into her room, and hold her close again.
How could he be this crazy for her?
Had she moved on? Found comfort in another man’s arms while he was here clinging to memories?
"F*ck!" he cursed aloud as another car splashed mud—this time on his jacket.
Could this day get any worse?
He picked up his pace.
Then he saw her.
A girl standing in front of his apartment. Still. Small. Shivering.
He blinked.
No. It couldn’t be.
He shook his head and kept walking. It had happened before—he’d imagined her. Only to be disappointed. And besides, she said she was on her way home. That meant someone else’s arms, right?
But the girl standing there… she looked frozen. Like she had been waiting a long time.
Another car splashed mud on his face. He cursed and wiped it off angrily—
Then he heard it. A giggle.
He froze.
Only Pepper giggled like that.
On my way home. I'll come running to you. ♥
He looked up.
The shoes, the legs, the waist, the arms, the face—
"A-Alex..." she whispered, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with longing.
And before he could say a word, she ran to him and threw herself into his arms.
"I missed you!" she cried. "Oh, God, Alex, I missed you so much!"
And just like the day he left, a tidal wave of emotion crashed into him. He held her tightly—desperately—as if letting go meant losing her again.
If this was a dream, he’d never forgive the world for waking him up.
- Writer
