Her Missing Heart novel Chapter 5

Everyone was looking for me.

My phone kept buzzing with calls and messages from Ethan and my parents.

I ignored them all.

I gazed up at the gleaming police badge above the station entrance.

How many times had I waited here for Gabriel to finish his shift?

We'd go home together, curl up on the couch watching movies, sharing kisses and embraces...

But now, no matter how long I waited, he'd never appear again, never hold my hand on the way home, never put on an apron to make my favorite noodles...

After what felt like forever, an angry familiar voice came from above: "What are you doing here?"

It's from Ethan.

I looked up at him.

His usually immaculate suit was wrinkled—I'd never seen him so disheveled and frantic. His furious father stood beside him.

Ethan yanked me to my feet. "Why did you run away?"

"Because this was wrong from the start," I answered.

Six months ago, when I first learned of Gabriel's death, I couldn't eat or sleep, wasting away day by day.

Ethan had conspired with my parents, claiming they'd arranged psychological counseling.

I refused.

Then they brought in Gabriel's father to persuade me: "If Gabriel sees you like this, he won't rest in peace."

Not wanting Gabriel to worry even in death, I agreed.

But I never imagined it was all a setup— To hypnotize me, make me forget Gabriel, and marry Ethan.

But now, these mistakes had to end.

I lowered my eyes to hide my emotions: "Ethan, I tried so hard to be with you, but..."

"Autumn!" Ethan's grip tightened. "Come back with me now, and we'll pretend this never happened."

Pain shot through my wrist as I struggled to break free.

Suddenly—SLAP!

He left, and I heard the door lock behind him.

I froze in place, trapped.

The windows and balcony were barred, with only one door for access.

I tried messaging people for help. But everyone thought I was wrong to run away, urging me to stay with Ethan. No one cared about my feelings or situation.

I collapsed helplessly, not knowing what to do.

Then the computer screen lit up, messages popping up in the corner.

I clicked to find readers asking for updates.

People were still reading the novel about Gabriel and me.

Realizing this, I sat at the computer and typed out how we met, and his words when he confessed— "Autumn, since meeting you, everything I've done was to be closer to you."

The words burned like fire in my heart.

Through tears, I remembered his last words: "Autumn, forget me and live happily and safely."

But Gabriel, I tried living the life you wanted for me. Why am I still so unhappy?