Chapter 10 I wandered around the streets for hours . After dark , with nowhere else to go , I finally went back to Alex's territory . When I walked in , I saw him sitting on the couch . I gathered my courage and walked right up to him : " Alex , our contract expired six months ago . Since Victoria's back now , can I leave ? " The contract was over , but Alex had never actually told me to go . He'd even kept giving me jewelry and stuff after that . That was part of why I fell for Candy's bullshit in my past life . Alex slowly looked up , confused : " What Victoria ? " I could feel the household staff watching me , but I didn't care . I kept going : " Victoria Rockefeller , your fiancée . She came back from abroad , right ? She already had people trash my restaurant because I won't get out of your way ! " Truth is , I was pissed at Alex . Whatever drama he and Victoria had going on was none of my business . He shouldn't have dragged me into it and then played dumb . " Your restaurant got trashed ? So we'll open another one . And if I remember correctly , it was all my money anyway . What exactly are you whining about ? " There was almost an amused tone to his voice , like I was being adorably dramatic . They say people really do laugh when they're beyond words . I laughed for a long time before I had the energy to wipe the tears from my eyes . " Right , I was overthinking things . So can I leave ? We agreed from the start - when the contract ends , I have the right to go . " For five years , I'd barely been able to look Alex in the eye . But this time , I stared straight into those dark eyes of his without backing down an inch . " You do have the right to leave . But are you sure ? If you walk out , I won't let you come back . " I nodded without hesitating for even a second : " I'm sure . I won't be coming back . " Alex's mouth twitched into something like a smile : " Alright then . Want to leave ? Leave right now . Don't take anything except that purse in your hand . " The notebook I'd hidden under the bed flashed through my mind for just a moment . Then I nodded at Alex , turned around , and walked out . I'd gotten pretty far before I finally let out a breath . Checking the bank card and ID I always kept in my purse , I felt incredibly lucky . I'd never been in the habit of carrying my bank card around before . But after getting that new account , something told me I should keep it with me . That instinct saved my ass . I took a cab to the airport . Bought a ticket on the next available flight and left the city I'd lived in for eight years . After spending one night in this coastal town , I still felt uneasy , so I bought another ticket to somewhere famous for beautiful winter snow . The moment I landed , I went to the bank and got new cards . Then I repeated my previous moves and transferred the money again . I bought a fully furnished small apartment in this place . Then I found a little shop for sale near my building and decided to take it over as a small business owner . Days passed like that , one after another . When the date of my death from my past life arrived , I curled up in my apartment , staring out at the snow . From night until morning . Watching the time on my phone , I finally felt completely at peace . I knew I'd changed my fate . On New Year's Day , while I was making dinner , I heard someone ringing my doorbell . I figured it was my neighbor coming to borrow something again . But when I opened the door , I saw Alex , whom I hadn't seen in ages . I stared at him in shock , thinking I must be dreaming . " Aren't you going to invite me in ? " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!