5 Menu The slap sent me sprawling . My face swelled up fast , blood trickling from the corner of my mouth . My ears were ringing , and suddenly , I couldnt hear or see anything . I trembled as I touched my face , and the moment my fingers brushed against the imprint of that slap , tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably . It was the first time Julian had ever hit me . But before I could even process what had just happened , he vanished through the front door . I took a deep breath and scrambled to my feet , chasing after him . I was so scared scared that Olivia would show up and repeat the disaster of my previous life . BOOM ! The thunder rolled in , accompanied by a torrential downpour that washed over everything . Julian was holding Olivia tightly in his arms . She struggled , her voice filled with despair . This is the most important day of my life ! How can I stay here when Jane is doing this ? If she still has feelings for you , maybe I should just give you back to her … Julian tightened his hold . No , Olivia . I could never love her . You know how long Ive loved you . Are you trying to rip my heart out by pushing me to someone else ? He leaned in to kiss her . But a moment later , a blinding car headlight came rushing toward them . I had just caught up , and all I saw was a splash of red , freezing me in place ! In the emergency room , the red lights was flashing . Doctors rushed to attach medical equipment to Julian , ready to save him . But he ignored his own injuries , insisting they treat Olivia first . 14:12 0.7 % < 5 Menu But sir , youre the one whos most critically injured ! His voice was weak , trembling . Dont worry about me . Save Olivia first … The doctors reluctantly took the unconscious Olivia to surgery . Moments later , a doctor rushed out . The patient is bleeding heavily ! Who has type O blood ? Hearing this , Julian disregarded the nurses protests and jumped out of bed . Take my blood ! But sir … Shut up , just do it ! Soon , bags of bright red blood piled up on the medical tray , and Julians face turned pale . Only when they confirmed Olivia was stable did he finally lie back on the operating table , being wheeled into the emergency room . I couldnt bear to watch , and turned to leave . I knew Julian loved Olivia more than his own life . If Id understood that in my past life , maybe my ending wouldnt have been so tragic . All of this chaos stemmed from the love letter I wrote and the photos I took . But I still didnt know how theyd been leaked ; Id burned them all . Now it seemed the only person who could have done it was Olivia . But why ? She was already with Julian . I couldnt comprehend it , and I didnt dare think too deeply . I spent three days in a daze at home , and when Julian was discharged , the first thing he did was order his bodyguards to lock me in a pitch black basement . The moment I was shoved inside , darkness engulfed me like a 14:13 0.7 % < 5 Menu tidal wave . I instinctively curled up , searching for a shred of safety , but all I could hear was my own rapid breathing echoing in the silence . I let out a bitter laugh , tears welling in my eyes . Ever since my parents passed away , Ive been terrified of the dark . At night , the darkness felt like an invisible net , binding me tightly and keeping me from sleeping . That was why my bedroom light was always on , even a dim glow offering some solace . But now , Julian had locked me here . The cold floor seeped through my thin clothes , chilling me to the bone . My stomach growled , my throat felt scratchy and painful . Smith , maybe you should apologize to Mr. Otherwise , with your condition , how will you hold up … A worried voice from outside , filled with helplessness and sympathy , reached my ears . My eyes stung , and tears finally spilled over . I was wrong in my past life . I accepted that . But in this life , I hadnt done anything wrong . Why should I apologize ? Besides , Julian was consumed by Olivia , he wouldnt listen to anything I said . Time crawled by and the darkness around me felt thicker , the cold and hunger gnawing at my body and spirit . My consciousness faded , my body growing stiff … Finally , in the endless darkness and pain , I completely lost awareness . In "She Returned, I Left" by CrushReel, a captivating romance unfolds against the backdrop of China. The novel follows the emotional journey of two lovers as they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and second chances. Exploring themes of redemption, fate, and the power of forgiveness, "She Returned, I Left" delves deep into the intricacies of human relationships. The characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own vulnerabilities and strengths that add layers of depth to the narrative. Set in the rich tapestry of China, the novel weaves together cultural nuances and traditions that enhance the storytelling experience. What sets "She Returned, I Left" apart is its ability to evoke raw emotions and resonate with readers on a profound level. With its richly drawn characters and compelling storyline, this ongoing romance novel is a must-read for those who appreciate nuanced storytelling. Available to read at CrushNovels, immerse yourself in this poignant tale that will linger in your heart long after you've turned the final page.