Chapter 19
“Go away” Courtney pushed Hayden aside, limping over to find the door number and retrieving the key from beneath the flowerpot, which Lorraine had prepared for her in advance.
“Don’t hide your key in flower pots, shoes, or under the carpet. You’re just giving thieves an opportunity” Hayden nagged, his talkative nature kicking in again.
Courtney ignored him, unlocked the door, and walked inside.
The rental apartment was an old, run–down place in Henisburg, but its location was good, so the rent wasn’t cheap. Fortunately, the room was clean and well–equipped, with a fridge and everything else.
This place had been found by Lorraine’s husband, who said it belonged to his step–parents, and they didn’t feel comfortable renting it to strangers, so they gave Courtney a discount.
Courtney was very grateful.
“Sit still.” Hayden lifted her and placed her onto the sofa, then crouched down to check Courtney’s ankle, which was swollen and bruised – it was dislocated.
Courtney glared at Hayden, who had no sense of personal spice.
“Hold on.” Hayden tried to help her reset her ankle, but Courney stopped him. She looked at him in fear, not wanting him to touch her.
Hayden glanced behind Courtney. “What’s the meaning of that painting you’ve got there??
Courtney instinctively turned to look.
“Ah!” Suddenly, Hayden grabbed her ankle and reser it with a sharp motion
Courtney gasped in pain and anger, her eyes turning red and misty with tears
Hayden smiled and pulled her into his arms, comforting her. It’s okay, it’s okay”
Courtney’s breathing was heavy. She angrily pushed Hayden, almost instinctively saying, “Go”
Hayden froze for a moment, then suddenly grabbed her shoulders, his eyes filled with excitement and disbelief. “Courtney did you just speak?”
Courtney was stunned for a second, then opened her mouth, trying to speak, but still couldn’t make any sound.
She must have talked unconsciously.
Hayden was thrilled and pulled her into his arms again. “Say it again. Go ahead, curse me out
Courtney’s temples throbbed, and she struggled to push Hayden away. She had tried to speak, but no sound came out, as if some invisible barrier stopped her.
“It’s okay; don’t rush.” Hayden noticed how anxious Courtney was and quickly tried to calm her down.
He was in a good mood. “Don’t worry, we’ll take it slow. You’ll be able to speak again eventually.”
Courney lowered her head, silent
Although Hayden was annoying, it seemed like he really wanted to help her. Unlike Austin.
Courtney couldn’t bear to think about Austin right now. Just the thought of him made it hard to breathe, and her chest hurt terribly.
“This place… it’s a bit small, but not bad. Lorraine really cares about you. Hayden scanned the room, his eyes darting around like a radar,
24 if afraid he might miss a spot that wasn’t safe.
Watching him rummage around, Courtney didn’t have time to feel sad, so she could only gesture at him with her hands. “What are you doing?”
Hayden rummaged through the drawer and grabbed the toolbox, then went to work fixing the old squeaky iron door. Courtney was a little surprised. He seemed to know how to do everything.
Hayden wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He walked around the bathroom, then came back and told Courtney, “Don’t use the socket in there for the hairdryer.
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Chapter 19
“It’s not separate from the wet zone, so the moisture from the shower could cause an electrical leak. It’s unsafe. When I get out of the hospital, replace it with a waterproof one for you,” he explained.
Courtney didn’t respond. She just sat on the sofa, watching Hayden.
“For daily necessities, use the money I left for you, he kept saying “Don’t be reluctant to spend it. I work hard for the people above me, and while the bonuses are a bit small, there will be more later.
Hayden leaned against the doorframe, continuing to talk even though Courtney didn’t reply. “Men earn money to spend on their wives, right? When the bonus comes in. I’ll give it all to you to keep.”
Courtney was speechless, but she didn’t know how to push him out of her life.
Tve asked the doctors. They said I’ll be fully recovered and ready to be discharged in ten days. Ten days. Im so sad Hayden continued, trying to snuggle up to Courtney, but she pushed him away.
Hayden looked disappointed, and just as he was about to cling to her again, Tyson arrived. He kicked the iron door, which Hayden had just fixed. and the door started squeaking again,
“When are you going to stop with the violence? Hayden complained helplessly, picking up the toolbox to fix the door once more, before Tyson grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him away.
Courtney sighed in relief, thinking it would finally be quiet.
But once the door closed, the silence only deepened her sense of fear and sadness.
She couldn’t bear to be alone. She was terrified that this overwhelming fear would consume her. She needed to find a safe place to calm down. Right now, she couldn’t give up. She had to get to the bottom of the truth and help the police catch Lucas
Leaving the apartment, Courtney went to the cemetery.
Courtney’s parents were both only children, with very few relatives in Henisburg. So. Austin had handled all the funeral arrangements by himself. Lorraine had asked Austin, and he said that he had buried them in Evermount Cemetery,
Austin had promised to accompany Courtney, but she didn’t want to with him
As soon as Courtney arrived at the cemetery, she received a call from Lorraine. “Courtney, I asked around for you. The neighborhood where your parents lived has been slated for demolition for two years now!
“Your parents had three old houses in Serene Cove, and the compensation was a total of 8 million dollars, she continued. “Your grandfathers old mansion was worth nearly 90 million, and it was bought by a rich businessman who had returned from overseas,”
“However, both of these sums were settled two years ago, and the money was given to Austin,” Lorraine added.
Courtney froze for a moment. There was nearly 30 million dollars in compensation, and Austin hadn’t mentioned a word about it. Not only that, but Austin had also sold her grandfather’s old mansion without her permission.
She had told Austin that the mansion was the foundation of their family, and it was absolutely not for sale. Yet, after she had been missing for five years, Austin had eagerly liquidated it,
The thought sent a chill down her spine, leaving her horrified
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