The Billionaire Who Saved Me

When Elice entered Rita’s residential area, the clock on her wrist already showed eleven. A long time had passed if she had not decided to pick up her car at the Metro first. But at least Elice could be sure to get home on time. The situation seemed calmer and more under control.

Elice got out of the car. In the urgency of missing Wilda and worrying about her, she hurried to open the gate door. Only to find the bright light blinding her eyes.

Elice blinked her eyes. At the same time, her hand spontaneously lifted from the gate key. Trying to ward off the glare that disturbed her vision.

The sound of a car door opening was heard. Followed by the sound of the car door closing with the impression of being half slammed. As if the person was in a hurry.

However, it seemed that this person was indeed in a hurry, for his steps were large and swift. Taking advantage of the glare that left Elice motionless in her standing position, he approached her, reaching out and taking her into his embrace.

“Elice.”

Elice’s body instantly tensed. Her ears could not have been wrong. Even after almost a year of not seeing each other, Elice would never forget that voice.

“A-Ariel?”

Indeed, the man was Ariel. The one who had decided to wait for Elice the whole day. He almost gave up, but in the end, he was grateful that he had decided to persevere.

“Oh, God. Elice, I finally found you. Finally, we meet again.”

The tension made it impossible for Elice to breathe. She was truly frozen in the disbelief she was currently experiencing. Ariel approached her, and more than that, Ariel hugged her.

Elice pushed Ariel with a force she never thought she had, causing his body to take a step back. His face showed a surprise that seemed so natural.

“Elice?”

Elice’s eyes, filled with anger, greeted Ariel. Her face hardened.

“What are you doing here?”

Even Elice’s voice sounded so loaded with emotion, full of hatred, that Ariel swallowed hard. He tried to get closer, but Elice’s words made his feet suddenly unable to move.

“Please, just go.”

When Ariel decided to meet Elice, he could guess that their meeting would not be easy. On the contrary. But Ariel was ready for all risks. No matter what happened, he still had to meet Elice.

“Elice,” Ariel called her name softly. “I know you’re angry with me. But please, give me a chance.”

“A chance?”

Ariel found Elice taunting him rhythmically. But he remained silent. He knew it was reasonable for Elice to behave that way.

“Wait a minute. A chance for what, Ariel?” Elice asked bitterly. “A chance to hurt me again?”

“No, Elice. Please. I know I was wrong. That’s why I came. I want to make up for my mistake. So, please. Just give me a chance, okay?”

Elice shook her head. With her index finger pointing at Ariel, she seemed unmoved in the face of Ariel’s despair.

“Your mistake can never be undone. And remember, Ariel, I have never been angry with you.”

Elice shook her head. She smiled sarcastically; a sight Ariel had never seen before.

“No,” Elice said afterwards. “I am not angry with you. But I hate you.”

There was no doubt in Ariel’s eyes. Elice stared at him sharply. Without blinking. Without any vulnerability. Something he had not found on the day they had argued in the tragedy a year ago.

Elice was different. There was not even a tremor in her voice as she accused Ariel.

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“It’s all for nothing, Ariel. Whatever you do now, it’s all for nothing. It was all too late when you decided to leave me.”

Elice is deeply hurt, and Ariel knows it. But he did not expect Elice to put up such high walls.

“I know everything I’ve done to you is unforgivable, Elice. But at least give me a chance. I will fix everything. I promise you. I will never waste you again. Okay? You trust me, right?”

Once again, Elice refused Ariel’s plea. She shook her head.

“Trust you? Oh, God, Ariel. Please. You’re not trying to make me laugh, are you? Because your jokes aren’t funny. You know very well that you didn’t just waste me, Ariel.”

The man’s face turned pale. Ariel understood exactly what Elice meant.

“And for that,” Elice continued with a painful grin. “There is nothing more you can do. Even if you could go back in time, nothing would change. I never give you a chance.”

What Elice said was true. Ariel could not change what had happened in the past. But he knew that there was still a possibility in the future. And holding on to that possibility was why Ariel dared to meet Elice. No matter how much rejection he would face.

Elice gave him one last sardonic look before she went back to the gate lock. However, she had not expected Ariel to act more boldly.

Ariel held her hand, preventing the key from unlocking the gate.

“Ariel,” Elice whispered, eyes wide. “Let me go.”

“Never, Elice. Letting you go was the biggest mistake I ever made. And I will never repeat it.”

Elice tore her hand from Ariel’s grip. With her head held high in a show of determination, she challenged him.

“Whether you admit it or not, you must remember. The day you let me cry alone, that was the day everything ended between us. Now you may not want to let me go again. But you must know something, Ariel. I don’t belong to you anymore.”

Elice’s firmness made Ariel silent for a moment. Then his jaw seemed to stiffen. Veins began to protrude from his forehead, and he grabbed Elice’s hand again, this time with such force that she could not free herself.

“Are you with Garrett now?”

Still trying to free her hand, Elice met Ariel’s gaze without fear.

“What do you care, Ariel?”

Ariel’s clenched teeth showed clearly how undesirable this possibility was for him.

“It’s impossible. You can’t be with him. And you shouldn’t get involved with him.”

At that moment, Elice could clearly see the anger in Ariel’s eyes. The flames of hate were burning vividly.

“What if it’s the other way around?” Elice asked with a grin. “What if this is what happens?”

There was silence for a moment. Ariel did not answer the question. Instead, he just stared intently into Elice’s eyes, trying to find traces of lies. But Elice answered with a similar look. Unyielding.

“Impossible,” Ariel shook her head. “You can’t be with him. I know you, Elice. You love me. And you can never love another man.”

This time Elice’s jaw tightened visibly. Even her hand, held by Ariel, seemed to clench her fingers tightly, making her skin pale.

“That was Elice a year ago, Ariel. The current Elice is the opposite. The one before you is the Elice who really hates you.”

*