Chapter 888 Goodbye

Chapter 888 Goodbye

Luke said, "Come out here."

Chloe was caught off guard, "Huh?"

Luke repeated, "I'm outside, in the yard."

Chloe's voice was full of surprise, "Wait, where did you say you are?"

Luke reassured her, "I told you, whenever you need me, I'm here. I never break my word."

In no time, Luke spotted Chloe peeking out from the cabin door, phone in hand, scanning the area.

Luke moved a bit closer, making sure Chloe couldn't spot Evan lurking in the shadows, then waved, "Look to your right."

It was pitch dark in the countryside, but Chloe still managed to see him with the faint glow from her phone.

Without a second thought, she bolted out of the yard, running straight towards him.

Luke picked up his pace too, "Watch your step."

But Chloe didn't care; all she wanted was to be in his arms, to feel his embrace.

Luke caught her as she flung herself into his arms, gently rubbing her head with his big hand, "What's wrong?"

His voice was soft and soothing, every word like a melody.

Chloe snuggled closer, "I just missed you all of a sudden."

Luke hugged her a bit tighter, "I missed you too."

Out of nowhere, Evan's voice cut in, "Is this really the best time for a love fest in front of me?"

Chloe jumped, spinning around, and when she saw it was Evan, she backed away in fear, "What are you doing here?"

She didn't dare glance back at the cabin, still hoping Evan hadn't figured out Rita was there.

Evan smirked, "I followed you."

Chloe felt a pang of guilt. She had been so careful coming to see Rita, but she still couldn't shake Evan off, leading him right to her.

Luke held her close, "Chloe, don't listen to his crap. It's not your fault. Someone he sent spotted Rita, he came to check, and just happened to run into you."

Chloe felt a mix of guilt and worry for Rita. Rita was finally living freely, and Chloe knew that  if Evan caught her and dragged her back, she wouldn't survive.

Chloe dreaded that thought, wanting to plead but knowing it wouldn't change Evan's mind, so she stayed silent.

Evan continued, "I should really thank you two for helping Rita escape from me back then."

Chloe tensed up, thinking Evan was being sarcastic.

But his next words eased her nerves a bit.

He said, with a hint of sincerity, "When Rita would rather lose our baby than stay with me, she turned to you for help, and you gave her a lifeline. Otherwise, I might never have seen her again."

In the past, Evan hated Chloe for this, wanting to kill her.

Now, hearing him say this, Chloe couldn't tell if he was being genuine or sarcastic, "Evan, do you really mean that?"

Evan smiled, "When have I ever lied?"

Sure, he was often crazy and violent, but he never lied.

Chloe tried to believe him. "Evan, have you noticed how alive Rita looks now? Her eyes are sparkling."

When Chloe first met Rita, she was like a lifeless shell.

Rita used to smile, but it never reached her eyes.

Now, she seemed like a whole new person, full of life and passion.

Evan nodded, "Yeah, I know."

Chloe hesitated, "So, you..."

Evan cut in, "I won't mess with her life anymore. Just don't tell her I found her."

Chloe wasn't sure if she could trust him.

She looked at Luke, "Can I really believe him?"

Luke ruffled her hair, "If he says he won't disturb her, he won't."

Luke trusted Evan on this.

Evan added, "But I have one condition."

Chloe's heart skipped a beat, "What is it?"

Evan chuckled, "Relax, you're so jumpy."

Chloe clenched her teeth in frustration.

"Just kidding, no need to get mad." Evan glanced towards the cabin, muttering, "She's alive and well. That's good to see."

Hearing that, Chloe finally felt a bit relieved.

Luke held her close, "It's late. Do you want to stay with Rita or come to the hotel with me?"

Chloe replied, "I want to stay with Rita tonight."

Luke nodded, "Alright, go rest. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Chloe smiled, "Okay."

Chloe had work to do, so she only stayed with Rita for two days before heading back to Skyhaven City.

Phyllis was filming nearby and would be around for another month. She spent time with Rita whenever she could.

Rita had a stable job and owned a farm.

With a steady income and eating what she grew herself, life was pretty comfortable.

But lately, she felt like someone was watching her, making her uneasy.

She had a hunch it was Evan.

One evening, Rita turned down Phyllis's invite and made a few dishes at home.

After setting the table, she spoke to the empty room, "If you're here, stop hiding and come out."

Silence.

After a while, Rita poured a glass of wine and downed it, "Stop hiding! Come out!"

This time, Evan appeared at the door, looking a bit nervous.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

Rita almost didn't recognize him with his head full of white hair.

She never thought he'd look so old when she saw him again.

A wave of bitterness hit her. "Come in."

Evan walked in, not daring to look around, his hands trembling slightly, "Rita, I..."

Rita sat down, poured two glasses of wine, one for herself, and one for him, "Sit."

Evan cautiously sat down, watching her nervously as she drank her wine.

After finishing her glass, Rita slammed it on the table, "You showed up as soon as Phyllis and Chloe found me, right?"

Evan nodded.

Rita gave a faint smile, "I did everything to finally live the life I wanted, but in the end, it feels like it was all for nothing."

She thought she'd break down when she saw him again, but she was surprisingly calm.

It was like Evan was a stranger. Like she had never loved him. Like he had never hurt her. Like nothing had ever happened between them.

At that moment, Rita realized true freedom wasn't just about physical escape, but freeing her mind.