Chapter 67 He Leapt Off The Bridge
If Yvonne were to be honest, walking alongside Norton made her feel unbearably awkward.
So as soon as they reached the front gates, she turned to him and said, “I know you don’t really want to see me off, which is fine. You’ve done your duty. You may go now.”
Norton slowly cocked his head to the side to look her in the eyes.
She was taken back, despite herself. She hadn’t asked him to see her off in the first place, so why was he acting so pissy?
After a moment of tense silence, she decided to explain herself. “I swear, I didn’t mean to force you into doing anything. I ran into Edmond by accident; I didn’t expect him to
be there.”
That was all there was to it. She had told her side. Whether he believed her or not was
his problem.
Still, Norton said nothing. He just kept staring at her, his tall frame seemingly more imposing in the night.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Edmond,” Yvonne added before turning to leave.
She hadn’t even taken two steps forward when a hand grabbed her wrist.
The next thing she knew, Norton was stuffing her into the car and pressing her into the passenger seat. His movements were quick and smooth, leaving her at an utter loss. She didn’t even have any time to react when he moved again.
He suddenly leaned in, his chiseled features highlighted by the car’s interior light. His warmth breath fanned her cheeks and made her ears tingle.
“What are you…” Yvonne started to say before Norton reached over and grabbed her
seatbelt.
Then came the crisp sound of the seatbelt clicking into place, snapping Yvonne her to
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her senses.
Like a fool, she had misread the situation again. As if Norton would change his personality from out of nowhere.
They drove in silence for ten whole minutes before Norton glanced at the rearview mirror. His lips curled into a disdainful smirk.
A car had been tailing them since they left Edmond’s place. It kept a fair distance–not too close or too far–and went at a steady pace.
Just as Norton anticipated, his grandpa was always a step ahead.
Without any warning, Norton made a sharp turn and circled the other car. He rolled his window down and gave its driver a little wave before speeding off in a different
direction.
His driving skills were exceptional as they were, and coupled with his boldness, it took him less than a few minutes to completely lose their tail.
The roads were dark, and the night was late. There was no way the other car would be able to catch up to them.
Only then did Yvonne understand everything.
Edmond had sent someone to follow them. It was no wonder Norton had bothered to give her a ride. He had even fastened the seatbelt for her.
It was all for show!
“How sly,” Norton muttered under his breath. Outsmarting Edmond had become one of his greatest amusements over the years.
“You’re just like him, you know,” Yvonne pointed out in a teasing tone.
After shaking off the other car, Norton took a detour and got back on the main highway. He actually drove her all the way to Amberfield.
This surprised Yvonne quite a bit.
Rachel had been following the police as they combed through the streets.
There was still no sign of Jeffrey, nor any news of his whereabouts.
The longer time dragged on, the deeper her heart sank.
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If she lost him, she would no longer have any reason to keep living.
Fortunately, God seemed to have taken pity on her.
Just when she was at her most desperate, Trey called. “Rachel,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement, “I found Jeffrey! He’s on the bridge.”
“I–I’ll be right there!” Rachel was so overwhelmed with emotion that she could barely string her words together.
She ended the call and rushed to the location Trey had indicated.
At that same moment, Ronald was driving as fast as the traffic rules would allow. Even so, Brian was urging him to go even faster.
“Step on it!” Brian barked from the passenger seat.
“We’re already going as fast as we can,” Ronald said helplessly. “Things could get dangerous if I push any further.”
Brian’s expression was tense, his heart pounding
before saying again, “Faster!”
wwwside his chest. He clicked his tongue
He knew if anything happened to Jeffrey, Rachel would hate him for the rest of her life. The mere thought of her hate–filled gaze had him gasping for air.
Rachel arrived at the bridge and immediately caught sight of Trey. After looking around, however, she didn’t see her brother.
“Where’s Jeffrey?”
Trey silently raised his eyes. Following his gaze, Rachel tilted her head back. Her heart nearly stopped.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t cry. She couldn’t
lose control. Not yet.
High up on the bridge, Jeffrey was already halfway to the top.
Rachel couldn’t make out his expression, what with the distance and the dim light of the dawn. She had no way of knowing what he might be feeling right then.
Rachel called out, “Jeffrey! It’s me, Rachel! I’m here! Please, come down, okay?”
Above, Jeffrey paused at the sound of her voice. The dam finally broke then, and tears spilled from his eyes.
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“I’m sorry, Rachel,” he whispered into the wind. “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t exist in this world. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be so burdened.”
Rachel couldn’t hear his words, of course.
All she could do was desperately persuade him to come down. “Come on, Jeffrey, please come down! I can’t live without you. I’m begging you! I already lost Mom; I can’t lose you, too! Please come down, if only for my sake. Please? Don’t you feel sorry for me?”
Toward the end, Rachel was already dropping to her knees.
Just then, a beam of light shone over her, giving Jeffrey a good look of what she was about to do.
“Rachel, don’t!” he cried out. “I’m not worth it!”
Then, as if something inside him had shifted, he began climbing down the bridge. His grip was tight and sure.
Trey wasted no time and quickly rushed forward to catch Jeffrey in case the latter slipped.
Everyone’s attention was all on Jeffrey. No one–aside from Ronald–noticed Brian
already climbing up the bridge.
It didn’t take him long to reach Jeffrey.
Brian deliberately stayed in the shadows, taking up position behind a barrier to avoid startling Jeffrey and spooking the boy.
As Jeffrey made his way down, Brian descended as well, matching his pace.
At last, after what felt like an eternity, Jeffrey reached the base of the bridge.
Rachel ran over to him, relief washing over her. Jeffrey stood there, his face blank as he looked at his sister. He knew she had been running around tirelessly, looking for him.
Doris’s words suddenly flashed in his mind, unbidden.
“You’re Rachel’s disabled brother, aren’t you? I used to envy her. She is beautiful and even managed to win Brian’s heart. I bet everyone’s jealous of her. But I already got
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over it. I only feel sorry for her now. Do you know that Brian’s mother can’t stand you? As long as you’re around, your sister will never be able to marry into the White family. You’re a grown man now. Shouldn’t you start thinking about your sister’s happiness? It’s simple, really—if you weren’t around, she would have a much easier life. She would get her happy life ever after, too.
The cruel smile on Doris’s face seemed to have etched itself into Jeffrey’s brain.
Clutching his head, he began to struggle and cry out in anguish. “No… No!” Then he took one last look at Rachel, his eyes filled with sorrow. “You must live well, Rachel.”
The next thing they knew, Jeffrey had turned around and leapt off the bridge.
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