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Chapter 9
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2024-12-11 19:49:41Related chapters
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 10
He had been investigating my kidnapping case for days now, and I could see how much it had taken a toll on him. He looked thinner and more worn out than usual. I couldn’t deny it—I felt bad for him, and I felt something more.That morning, he had left early, telling me not to prepare lunch since he would cook when he returned. However, by evening, he still wasn’t home, and I could not get through to him on the phone. A sense of dread filled me, and I couldn’t shake the worry that something had happened to him. The fear of being abandoned again crept into my mind.As I paced back and forth in the house, feeling uneasy and restless, the doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it, hoping it was him. However, instead, it was Luke.He looked exhausted, his face unshaven. It was in stark contrast to his usual self.I took a few steps back, but as I was about to close the door, he suddenly lunged forward, pulling me into his arms. Panic surged as I struggled, but his grip was too strong.H
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 1
The day I escaped, my body was battered and barely covered, bearing wounds and scars.A swarm of reporters surrounded me, their camera flashes blinding my eyes. Some had even started live-streaming, spinning one outrageous headline after another.“Heartthrob actor Luke Trainor’s Secret Lover: Reduced to a Plaything Just to Get Resources for Her Beloved.”“Desperate Mistress Self-Harms to Pressure the Actor into Taking Responsibility.”I stared at them blankly, watching as they twisted the truth, smearing my name. They even started filming my disheveled and miserable state with their cameras. Yet, I didn’t feel a single thing.However, their actions grew increasingly outrageous. They ignored my injuries and shoved cameras directly into my face. Some even pushed me to the ground, trying to capture more revealing photos to fuel their sensational headlines.Just then, I heard the sound of police sirens, and the officers dispersed the crowd. Immediately after, a masked man lifted me f
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 2
He was right. I caused him trouble, but I was only trying to survive.All alone in the wilderness, starving and scarred, I acted on sheer instinct to stay alive. Who would ever willingly want to be photographed nearly undressed, humiliated, with those pictures spread everywhere, followed by endless lies?I knew it would damage his reputation. That was why I apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’ll go and clarify things,” I offered.I was ready to deny any connection between us.“Suzy, what do you mean by that? You sound upset with me. Are you mad because I said I didn’t know you? Is that it?”As he spoke, he stood up and walked over to me. He then gripped my chin with his hand, forcing me to look up at him.How could I possibly be mad at him? Everything that happened was a result of my poor choices.“No, not at all. From the start, you told me that this was just a fling and that it would stay private. And since it’s just a fling, you had no obligation to save me. I won’t bl
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 3
I quickly washed up and put on a long-sleeve chiffon dress. Only when I couldn’t see the wounds on my body could I forget the awful things I had experienced.As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Luke signaling for me to come downstairs. Right, it was time to clear things up with him.I stood before him. He patted the couch, inviting me to sit. However, as I moved closer, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. The smell of alcohol immediately hit me. Luke wasn’t a heavy drinker, especially after that incident. Ever since then, he’d avoided alcohol altogether.That day, he had attended a party where someone had spiked his drink. That was how we ended up together. However, I agreed willingly because I had been in love with him for years.Luke and I had grown up together. After my family fell apart, he was the one who helped me through the tough times. The seed of love had been planted, and it grew without me even realizing it.After that night, Luke asked me to be his secret
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 4
When I regained consciousness, I was in a hospital ward. I stared blankly at the white ceiling. It felt as though something was missing, but I could not pinpoint what it was.As the smell of disinfectant filled the room, stinging my nose, I heard Luke’s voice.“Why didn’t you tell me… that you were pregnant?” His voice was low and sounded annoyed. “Suzy, were you trying to manipulate me with the baby?”Manipulate him? How ridiculous. I didn’t even know I was pregnant.I lowered my gaze to my stomach, finally understanding why there was bleeding. It was my child.Tears welled up as I placed a hand on my belly, regretful that I didn’t know its existence, nor did I try to protect it.My lips trembled, and my eyes watered.“Suzy, I was right, wasn’t I? This was all part of your plan on trapping me with a child.”“No. No!” I raised my voice, defending myself.Luke seemed surprised at me talking back like that.I looked down again. My body trembled with the weight of the grief I wa
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 5
A tense silence filled the atmosphere in the room.Just then, the door suddenly swung open. It was Luke’s grandmother.Her face was full of concern as she hurried in, exclaiming, “Suzy, what happened to you? I saw on TV that you got hurt.”Seeing her, an elderly woman, rushing all the way here from home, stirred some emotions in me.Luke’s grandmother had always treated me like her own granddaughter. Whenever I visited, she would tell me how wonderful Luke was and express her wish that I could become her granddaughter-in-law.Of course, I wished for the same. However, Luke had made it clear that his family could never know about our real relationship.“Suzy, you look so pale. You must’ve been through a lot.” Grandma then held my hand. Her warm gesture made my nose sting and my throat tighten.I shook my head. Just when I was about to respond, a familiar female voice interrupted.“Suzy, are you feeling better?”Standing at the doorway was a woman dressed in understated casual
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 6
Grandma told Luke and Ruby to leave the room before she gently patted my back and sighed.“Suzy, even if you don't say it, I know you’ve been through a lot recently. It must have something to do with that damn boy. I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson for you.”I looked at Grandma. Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head.“I’ve always known that you like this boy, but, Suzy, you can’t love someone by putting yourself down. If he’s done something wrong, say it. I’ll help you get back at him.”Her words almost choked me up. I took a moment to compose myself and suppress the sadness before speaking, “Grandma, to be honest, Luke and I are just friends. I don’t have... any feelings for him.”Neither did I want to have any feelings for him anymore.Upon hearing that, a hint of sadness crossed Grandma’s eyes. In the end, she said I deserved someone better. Instead of responding, I stared at her graying hair, feeling a weight settle in my chest as the tears threatened to fall.“
Last Updated : 2024-12-11Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 7
After spending over two weeks in the hospital, I was finally discharged.Luke drove me back to his private residence. Once we arrived, he handed me a bank card loaded with five million dollars. He told me to treat it as compensation.I accepted it and immediately transferred the funds into my own account. When he left for work, I took the opportunity to pack my things and prepare to leave. However, I didn’t expect to run into Ian as I was leaving.He greeted me casually, “Ms. Roland, where are you headed? Mr. Trainor said you should stay home and rest.”Trying to keep my composure, I lied. I told him I was heading out for some fresh air. To my dismay, he pulled out his phone and began to call Luke.Panicked, I dropped my suitcase, grabbed his arm, and begged, “Please, Ian. Don’t tell Luke about this.”He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Ms. Roland, are you leaving?”Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded.“Ian, just pretend you didn’t see me, okay? I have nothing left. I’
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
Latest chapter
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 10
He had been investigating my kidnapping case for days now, and I could see how much it had taken a toll on him. He looked thinner and more worn out than usual. I couldn’t deny it—I felt bad for him, and I felt something more.That morning, he had left early, telling me not to prepare lunch since he would cook when he returned. However, by evening, he still wasn’t home, and I could not get through to him on the phone. A sense of dread filled me, and I couldn’t shake the worry that something had happened to him. The fear of being abandoned again crept into my mind.As I paced back and forth in the house, feeling uneasy and restless, the doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it, hoping it was him. However, instead, it was Luke.He looked exhausted, his face unshaven. It was in stark contrast to his usual self.I took a few steps back, but as I was about to close the door, he suddenly lunged forward, pulling me into his arms. Panic surged as I struggled, but his grip was too strong.H
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 9
It was Ian. He frowned as he pushed Ruby back to the ground. However, his protective embrace brought me a rare sense of safety.Tears streamed down my face as I clung to him tightly, my voice trembling. “It’s her! She was the one who got me kidnapped! She’s the mastermind!”“Stop spouting nonsense, Suzy!”Just then, Luke had also arrived. Ruby then started sobbing dramatically, twisting the truth to suit her narrative. She claimed I had hit her and that she had only approached me out of concern.Ruby continued accusing me of falsely claiming that she had kidnapped me.Luke, helping her to her feet, looked furious as he turned to me “Was Ian the reason why you didn’t answer my calls? Suzy, if you come back with me now, I’ll let this slide.”Did he really think I was that naive?I clung to Ian’s shirt, my voice shaking. “Let’s go home, please.”“Alright, we’ll go home now.”Ian reassured me gently before lifting me into his arms.Luke’s furious voice rang out behind us. “Suzy,
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 8
After Ian left, I curled up on the couch to rest.Sometime later, I was startled awake by the sound of my phone ringing. I glanced at the screen—it was Luke calling. I frowned, feeling nothing but irritation as I turned off my phone and went back to sleep. Ever since that awful kidnapping incident, I hadn’t slept this peacefully.When I woke up again, it was already dark outside. Ian had just returned with a large bag of groceries.“Hungry? I brought snacks. You can have some to tide you over. I’ll make dinner.”Glancing at the snacks on the table, I noticed they were all my favorites. I then looked toward the kitchen, where he was busy preparing dinner.“I can... help you out.”“You don’t have to. Just sit back and relax.”Feeling a bit guilty, I insisted on helping, reaching over to wash the vegetables. As I did, my hand accidentally brushed against his.I quickly apologized. When I looked up, I noticed his face had turned bright red.Seeing that, I teased, “Are you... aller
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 7
After spending over two weeks in the hospital, I was finally discharged.Luke drove me back to his private residence. Once we arrived, he handed me a bank card loaded with five million dollars. He told me to treat it as compensation.I accepted it and immediately transferred the funds into my own account. When he left for work, I took the opportunity to pack my things and prepare to leave. However, I didn’t expect to run into Ian as I was leaving.He greeted me casually, “Ms. Roland, where are you headed? Mr. Trainor said you should stay home and rest.”Trying to keep my composure, I lied. I told him I was heading out for some fresh air. To my dismay, he pulled out his phone and began to call Luke.Panicked, I dropped my suitcase, grabbed his arm, and begged, “Please, Ian. Don’t tell Luke about this.”He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Ms. Roland, are you leaving?”Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded.“Ian, just pretend you didn’t see me, okay? I have nothing left. I’
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 6
Grandma told Luke and Ruby to leave the room before she gently patted my back and sighed.“Suzy, even if you don't say it, I know you’ve been through a lot recently. It must have something to do with that damn boy. I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson for you.”I looked at Grandma. Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head.“I’ve always known that you like this boy, but, Suzy, you can’t love someone by putting yourself down. If he’s done something wrong, say it. I’ll help you get back at him.”Her words almost choked me up. I took a moment to compose myself and suppress the sadness before speaking, “Grandma, to be honest, Luke and I are just friends. I don’t have... any feelings for him.”Neither did I want to have any feelings for him anymore.Upon hearing that, a hint of sadness crossed Grandma’s eyes. In the end, she said I deserved someone better. Instead of responding, I stared at her graying hair, feeling a weight settle in my chest as the tears threatened to fall.“
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 5
A tense silence filled the atmosphere in the room.Just then, the door suddenly swung open. It was Luke’s grandmother.Her face was full of concern as she hurried in, exclaiming, “Suzy, what happened to you? I saw on TV that you got hurt.”Seeing her, an elderly woman, rushing all the way here from home, stirred some emotions in me.Luke’s grandmother had always treated me like her own granddaughter. Whenever I visited, she would tell me how wonderful Luke was and express her wish that I could become her granddaughter-in-law.Of course, I wished for the same. However, Luke had made it clear that his family could never know about our real relationship.“Suzy, you look so pale. You must’ve been through a lot.” Grandma then held my hand. Her warm gesture made my nose sting and my throat tighten.I shook my head. Just when I was about to respond, a familiar female voice interrupted.“Suzy, are you feeling better?”Standing at the doorway was a woman dressed in understated casual
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 4
When I regained consciousness, I was in a hospital ward. I stared blankly at the white ceiling. It felt as though something was missing, but I could not pinpoint what it was.As the smell of disinfectant filled the room, stinging my nose, I heard Luke’s voice.“Why didn’t you tell me… that you were pregnant?” His voice was low and sounded annoyed. “Suzy, were you trying to manipulate me with the baby?”Manipulate him? How ridiculous. I didn’t even know I was pregnant.I lowered my gaze to my stomach, finally understanding why there was bleeding. It was my child.Tears welled up as I placed a hand on my belly, regretful that I didn’t know its existence, nor did I try to protect it.My lips trembled, and my eyes watered.“Suzy, I was right, wasn’t I? This was all part of your plan on trapping me with a child.”“No. No!” I raised my voice, defending myself.Luke seemed surprised at me talking back like that.I looked down again. My body trembled with the weight of the grief I wa
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 3
I quickly washed up and put on a long-sleeve chiffon dress. Only when I couldn’t see the wounds on my body could I forget the awful things I had experienced.As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Luke signaling for me to come downstairs. Right, it was time to clear things up with him.I stood before him. He patted the couch, inviting me to sit. However, as I moved closer, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. The smell of alcohol immediately hit me. Luke wasn’t a heavy drinker, especially after that incident. Ever since then, he’d avoided alcohol altogether.That day, he had attended a party where someone had spiked his drink. That was how we ended up together. However, I agreed willingly because I had been in love with him for years.Luke and I had grown up together. After my family fell apart, he was the one who helped me through the tough times. The seed of love had been planted, and it grew without me even realizing it.After that night, Luke asked me to be his secret
Once Close, Now Strangers Chapter 2
He was right. I caused him trouble, but I was only trying to survive.All alone in the wilderness, starving and scarred, I acted on sheer instinct to stay alive. Who would ever willingly want to be photographed nearly undressed, humiliated, with those pictures spread everywhere, followed by endless lies?I knew it would damage his reputation. That was why I apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’ll go and clarify things,” I offered.I was ready to deny any connection between us.“Suzy, what do you mean by that? You sound upset with me. Are you mad because I said I didn’t know you? Is that it?”As he spoke, he stood up and walked over to me. He then gripped my chin with his hand, forcing me to look up at him.How could I possibly be mad at him? Everything that happened was a result of my poor choices.“No, not at all. From the start, you told me that this was just a fling and that it would stay private. And since it’s just a fling, you had no obligation to save me. I won’t bl
