Let Her Go

"You don't have to pretend anymore, it's too late for that. I've got nothing left that you can use. Just go, I never want to see you again!" Avery Miller's voice broke as she shouted, tears tracing lines down her pale face, bitter with pain as they reached her lips.

Some wounds, once inflicted, can never be erased; some people, once gone, can never return to what they were.

"Avery..." Emily Davis reached out, her normally radiant face now devoid of its usual luster. 

Her eyes, blurred with tears, opened to speak, a desperate attempt to salvage a friendship she had destroyed. 

She knew it was a futile effort, but still, she yearned to grasp at it, even if it was only a mirage.

But this time, Avery Miller had no more strength to offer even an illusion of hope.

"If you won't leave, fine, I will." Avery turned her back on Emily, tears that had pooled in her eyes now falling freely. 

She opened her mouth, took a deep breath, and left without hesitation. She would never return to this place.

Emily watched her go, tears in her eyes. 

Avery's slender figure, proud and stubborn, marched away, her dress trailing behind her, as unyielding as their friendship, now gone forever.

Behind her, a scream shattered the air. Avery didn't turn back, her tears unceasing, her lips tightly pressed, her fingernails digging into her palm, oblivious to the pain.

How energetic she is, Avery thought bitterly. 

Still playing the victim, even now. Even if Emily was in agony, Avery wouldn't look back, wouldn't pity someone unworthy of her sympathy.

"Ah, let me go, what are you doing?" Emily's shriek pierced the air as a group of men surrounded her. They had appeared out of nowhere, closing in on her immediately.

"What are we doing?" The leader, Jack Morgan, grabbed the front of her blouse, his rough hand lightly patting her fair cheek. 

Seeing her terrified eyes, he laughed with delight. "Haha, a real beauty! I've always heard Nathan Davis had a stunning sister, and it's true." 

Jack Morgan gaze dropped to her slightly swollen belly, and he shook his head, "Such a pity, carrying a bastard child. We thought to leave you for the boss, but he probably wouldn't want you now!" His cronies erupted in laughter behind him.

"Let her go!" Avery Miller's voice cut through the mockery, drawing everyone's attention to her. 

They turned to see a girl, barely in her teens, slender as a willow, and their laughter grew louder.

"I said, let her go!" Avery repeated, her voice trembling slightly with fear, yet her words were resolute and unwavering.

"Look at that, a brave little beauty coming to the rescue. What, you want to meet our boss too?" Jack Morgan's flippant tone set off another round of laughter among his gang.

Avery clenched her teeth, her eyes, fierce and red, locked onto the stocky, bald man before her. Her clenched fists were bleeding slightly.

"Aren't you afraid of me calling the cops?"

"Call the cops?" Jack glanced at his cronies, laughing. "Do you really think you'll get the chance?"

"Avery, don't worry about me, just go. They're bad news, you need to get out of here." Emily Davis's voice trembled, her eyes swimming with concern for Avery. Her hands were restrained, and her left leg shook slightly, clearly injured. 

Avery spared her a glance, her gaze cold and detached.

"So, what will it take for you to release her?" Avery's eyes, now even more determined, were fixed on Jack. 

Her long hair fluttered in the breeze, her pale face devoid of color, emanating an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Emily watched her, and in a blink, she realized Avery had changed so much.

"Alright, I'll tell you. Her brother owes our boss ten million. You either pay her debt, or..." He stroked his chin, his eyes leering at Avery, "Or, I take both of you back with me. Her pregnancy won't interest the boss, but you..."

"I'll give you the ten million, just let her go first," Avery said, her gaze icy.

"Ha, let her go? Do you know how long we've been looking for her? I finally caught her today; I can't just let her go that easily." He pondered for a moment.

"Here's the deal: bring the money here in three days, and we'll exchange the cash for the girl, how about that?"

"Fine, I agree, but you better not harm a hair on her head." Avery agreed without hesitation, her pale lips pressed tightly together, her eyes unfathomable.

"Rest assured, for these next three days, I'll treat her well. But don't try any tricks. If I find out you've brought others on the third day, you'll find her corpse on the hilltop in the suburbs!" After issuing this warning, Jack Morgan signaled his men, and they walked away with Emily Davis in tow.

Once they disappeared, Avery's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, her long dress spreading out around her, her hair cascading in front of her. She covered her face, silently weeping.

...

The night deepened, the dew grew heavier, and a cool breeze made her arms shiver.

Avery Miller hugged herself, her head buried in her chest. She had been wandering the streets all afternoon, feeling lonely and cold.

Where could she find ten million? That afternoon, her phone buzzed with the news that David Miller had been detained. 

Where was his ten million now? 

Who could she turn to now? 

Who could help her?

Looking up at the sky, it was already dark, the heavy streetlights casting a dim yellow hue. The neat city windows displayed beautiful clothes and food. 

Passersby hurried by, brushing past her, each headed to their destinations, while she had no idea where to go.

Wandering aimlessly, she found herself in front of the Yangdu International Hotel. 

Gazing at the grand and luxurious building with its dazzling sign, she laughed. 

The place she thought she could escape from, after all her efforts, she had returned to it.

Avery Miller wiped the tears from her face and walked in with difficulty.

"Is CEO Montgomery in his office?" Avery approached the reception, where a new attendant stood, dressed similarly to before but with a more serious expression, not as charming as the girl from the other day.

"Are you Ms. Miller?" the attendant asked. Avery was momentarily taken aback. She had sneaked out in the morning unnoticed. 

how was she recognized now?

"Um... yes, it's me," she replied softly, feeling a slight flush on her face.

"CEO Montgomery instructed that if you return, you can go directly to his office."

"…Oh."

With her face burning red, Avery lowered her head, covering her face as she staggered to the elevator. The elevator arrived just in time, and she stepped inside, pressing the button for the thirty-seventh floor.

Avery gently rapped on the office door.

"Come in."

Avery pushed the door open, peeking through the gap to see the handsome man inside, his brows slightly furrowed, flipping through documents.

"Cough, cough," Avery entered, her eyes darting around, avoiding looking at him. 

And he, from the moment she entered, hadn't lifted his gaze to look at her.