Back to the Love We Left Behind

Chapter 5

Maren yanked her foot back from Wesley's grip as if she'd been burned.

She stammered, "Cal, we were just—"

"What you two do is none of my concern." Callum's gaze was frosty, radiating the commanding aura of a man used to authority. "Your mother called me. She wants you to return her call."

Without another word, he spun on his heel and strode away.

Maren scrambled to her feet to chase after him, but the instant her foot hit the floor, a stabbing pain exploded, almost sending her crashing to the ground.

Wesley quickly caught her, steadying her. "You should call your mother back first," he advised.

Maren listened, yet her gaze still clung to the direction Callum had vanished. But he was already gone, swallowed by the distance.

Catching up was impossible. With a pale face, she nodded weakly and retreated to her room.

She switched off the camera and found her phone.

The screen blazed with over a dozen missed calls, all from her mother.

She'd come straight back to the country and plunged into the show without even going home. Of course her mother was furious.

Bracing herself for a tongue-lashing, she dialed back. "Mom, what's going on—"

She didn't get to finish before her mother's voice lashed out, cutting her off. "Don't you dare call me Mom! I have no daughter like you! You come back to the country and don't even come home, you skip the research institute, and you go on this trashy reality show? Look at all the hate you're getting online! You're dragging the company's name through the mud. Quit that show, break the contract, and get your butt home!"

Maren's grip on the phone tightened, her mind blank for a moment. So many people were trashing her, and it was even hurting the company?

Silence hung heavy on both ends of the line.

Eventually, her mother's voice softened, heavy with concern. "Maren, I know you're still hung up on Callum. But it's over. With his personality, there's no chance for the two of you ever again."

The word "impossible" reverberated in her skull, freezing her thoughts.

After a long silence, she whispered, "Mom, I still want to give it another shot."

Her mother didn't say another word, just hung up.

The cold, mechanical dial tone buzzed in her ear. She knew she'd upset her mother again, but she couldn't bring herself to give up.

She opened social media.

Sure enough, as her mother had warned, the platform was flooded with hateful posts dragging her name through the mud. It was apparent to her then that no one thought that she and Callum stood a chance. Not a single soul.

A lump formed in her throat, and her eyes stung as she lifted her gaze to the handmade ceramic doll on her nightstand.

That doll. They'd made it together the day they became a couple.

Back then, she'd declared, "This little guy is our witness! I'll keep it safe forever!"

And for all these years, she'd carried it with her everywhere...

"Knock, knock!" A sudden rap on the door, then Wesley's voice. "Maren, it's me."

She opened the door to find him saying, "I've got a schedule to catch, have to leave now. Come see me out?"

She knew Wesley had only joined this show out of concern for her. She had no reason to say no.

They walked to the parking lot together, only to see Callum's car speeding away. In the darkness, the blood-red taillights cast an ominous glow.

Maren whirled to face Wesley. "Where's Cal headed?"

Wesley's expression grew complicated. "Back to the Prescott family estate. Haven't you heard? He's getting engaged."

Maren's mind went blank. "What did you say?"

"Callum is getting engaged. There's no chance left for the two of you, Maren. Let it go." Wesley tried to persuade her.

Maren stared at the direction the car had disappeared. After a moment, she spoke. "Wesley, please take me to the Prescott family estate."

Wesley was stunned by her decision. He hadn't expected this at all.

But in the end, he caved.

The Bentley roared through the night, its engine a low growl as it devoured the miles. Thirty minutes later, the sleek black car rolled to a stop outside the imposing gates of the Prescott family estate. Maren said a quick goodbye to Wesley and then pleaded with the Prescott family butler to call him out.

Later, they stood face to face in the silent courtyard, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

Before Callum could even part his lips, Maren blurted out everything she'd been dying to say, the words tumbling over each other in a desperate rush. "Seven years ago, I went abroad to study, to make myself better, so I could finally feel worthy of you. I never intended to break up with you, you have to—"

"Maren." Callum cut her off, his voice icy.

After seven long years, hearing her name on his lips again sent a wave of dizziness washing over her. She stood there, dazed.

Before she could pull herself back to reality, his next words landed like a physical blow.

"The reasons don't matter anymore. You made your choice. Don't regret it. And don't hold on to the past."