Chapter 53 Escape
Elodie's POV
I took a deep breath and forced out a pale, obedient smile. "I... I'm a bit hungry. Could you go get me something to eat? The coffee shop across from school—I like their sandwiches."
This was the only excuse I could think of to get him away from me for a while.
Behind his glasses, Ethan's dark eyes studied me deeply, as if trying to figure out whether I was telling the truth.
A few seconds later, he nodded, his face showing indulgent affection. "Okay, wait here for me. Don't go anywhere."
He let go of me and even thoughtfully straightened my collar before turning around and walking out of the classroom with composure, while everyone watched him leave with awe.
The moment he left, my tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and I nearly collapsed to the floor.
But I didn't dare waste time. I grabbed my bag and, under the uncertain stares of my classmates, rushed out of the classroom without looking back.
I couldn't go back to the dorm, and I couldn't go anywhere he knew about.
My only thought was to escape from this school, to get as far away as possible.
I ran frantically, my heart pounding violently in my chest—I couldn't tell if it was from running or from fear.
Just as I was about to rush out the school gate, a tall figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees beside me, blocking my way.
It was Ethan.
He seemed to have anticipated that I would run, deliberately waiting here for me.
My steps came to an abrupt halt.
"Why are you running?" He walked toward me, step by step, reaching up to tuck the strands of hair blown loose by the wind behind my ear. "Didn't you say you were hungry? How did you end up here?"
"I..."
"Where are you going, hmm?"
"I... I wanted to come out for a walk, to clear my head."
"Is that so?" He chuckled softly, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into his embrace without giving me a choice. He turned toward the academic building. "Perfect timing then. I'll walk with you. After our walk, we'll go back to the classroom."
I was half-held, half-carried by him, completely powerless to resist.
Back in that classroom with its strange atmosphere, everyone kept their heads down, pretending to read, while stealing glances at us from the corners of their eyes.
Ethan didn't care at all. He pulled me back to sit in the corner.
Just then, a worried voice came from nearby. "Elodie, are you okay?"
I turned my head and saw Henry had somehow moved to sit next to us, his gentle face full of concern.
His gaze moved past me to land on Ethan beside me, his eyes carrying a hint of barely noticeable scrutiny and wariness.
"And who is this?" Henry pushed up his glasses, asking tentatively.
Before I could speak, Ethan proactively pulled me tighter into his embrace. "I'm her boyfriend."
Henry's face went pale. His fingers gripping his book unconsciously tightened, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.
"But... what about Mr. Nelson?"
The smile on Ethan's face deepened. "He's dead."
My brain buzzed, and my vision went dark.
"So, from now on," Ethan lowered his head, gently stroking my cheek with his fingertips, "I'm her boyfriend."
Watching the undisguised shock and worry on Henry's face, a sharp pain spread from the bottom of my heart.
I couldn't drag him into this anymore.
This innocent, kind boy shouldn't be pulled into the mess between me and this lunatic Ethan.
I suddenly pushed away Ethan's hand and turned to Henry, speaking coldly. "Can't you understand plain English? He's dead, I have a new boyfriend. What does that have to do with you? Who are you to me, asking all these questions?"
Henry's face went pale, his eyes full of hurt and disbelief. "I was just..."
"You were just trying to stick your nose where it doesn't belong! Henry, keep your cheap sympathy to yourself. I don't need it. Now, please get out of my sight."
The light in his eyes gradually dimmed. In the end, he said nothing, just quietly gathered his things, got up, and left.
Watching his dejected figure, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by a hand, the pain making it hard to breathe.
"Does it hurt?" Beside me, Ethan's cold voice drifted over.
I turned my head to meet his gaze. "I just don't want you dragging innocent people into this."
"Innocent?" He sneered. "Elodie, have you still not figured out the situation? Any man who gets close to you—in my book, none of them are innocent."
He slowly lowered his head, his hot breath washing over my face.
"Or are you saying you've developed feelings for him that you shouldn't have?"
The darkness in his eyes was almost tangible. The next second, he leaned down and pressed his lips hard toward mine.
My heart jumped, and I instinctively turned my head away. His kiss landed on my cheek.
My evasion completely ignited his suppressed rage.
"Elodie!" he growled through gritted teeth. "You dare dodge me?"
In this tense standoff, a furious shout suddenly erupted from the classroom doorway like a thunderclap.
"Let her go!"