I Told You To Run But You Didn't (Georgia) novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Georgia’s POV

1761

88%

Finished

Estevan is leaving? The thought hit me like a splash of cold water. Leaving tonight? Without telling me? After… after everything?

A part of me, the part that craved peace, that was bone-weary of the violence and the lies, screamed Stay! Stay here where it’s safe. Stay with Louiella. Forget Zane Forget Estevan. Just… rest. I could disappear here. Build a quiet life. Try to heal.

But even as the thought formed, I knew it was impossible. The questions burned too hot. Zane. Was he lying? Was Estevan? Who killed my parents? I couldn’t rest until I knew. And Estevan… he was the only path to those answers, the devil I had made a deal with. Walking away now felt like… cowardice. Like giving up not just on the truth, but on myself.

And then there was the other, more confusing part. The part that remembered the feeling of safety in his arms after the bomb, the terrifying intimacy of the night before, the way he looked at me, the way he made me feel something other than numb. Leaving him felt.. unfinished. Dangerous, yes, but leaving felt like walking away from the only person who truly saw the soldier I was, even if he used it against me.

My mind was made up. The quiet life wasn’t for me. No yet. Maybe not ever. My path led back into the storm, not away from it.

I looked at Louiella, forcing a small, reassuring smile onto my face, playing the part she expected. “Of course I’m going with him, Louiella,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “Where my fiancé goes, I go, right?” The words felt like ash in my mouth, but they were necessary. “I just need to rest up a bit more first.”

Louiella’s face lit up with a warm, relieved smile. “Oh, god,” she said, squeezing my hand. “But you promise you’ll visit? Often?” Her eyes pleaded with me. “Don’t be a stranger again, hija.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “Of course, Louiella,” I promised “I’ll never forget you. You’re like a mother to me. You’re the only real family I have left in Veritas.” I hugged her tight. “You have to take care of yourself, okay? And call me if you need anything. Anything at all. I’ll always be here for you, no matter where I am.”

Later that night, my body still ached, but the doctor had given me something stronger for the pain. Estevan had arranged everything with surprising efficiency. His ar was already waiting outside, engine humming quietly.

When I walked out, ready to leaye, Isaw him coming out of my old bedroom, carrying my bags along with his own small duffel. He hadn’t just assumed I was.coming; he had packed for me.

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The possessive, controlling gesture should have infuriated me, but I was too tired, too emotionally drained to even argue. He loaded everything into the backseat without a word,

Louiella stood on the porch, wrapped in a shawl, her face etched with sadness but also a hopeful smile.

We hugged one last time, “Be safe, mija,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. “And be happy.”

I nodded, unable to speak, and quickly got into the carefore I started crying again. Estevan gave Louiella a polite, respectful nod, then slid into the driver’s seat We pulled away from the house, leaving the warm yellow lights behind us, plunging back into the darkness

As we drove down the mountain road, back towards the city, back towards the danger, I stared out the window, watching the familiar landscape blur past.

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10:37 Tue, Mar 10 M MO

Chapter 73

88%

Finished

I glanced over at Estevan’s stoic profile, illuminated brily by the dashboard lights. No words came out. What could I even say?

Why did I do this? The question echoed in the silent ca Why did I choose to go back with him? Back to the lies, the violence, the terrifying man who claimed he owned me? I didn’t have an answer.

All I knew was that turning back felt impossible. My pa, for better or worse, was now tied to his.

He looked over at me as we drove. A slow smile spread cross his face. It wasn’t a nice smile. It looked like a cat who had just caught a mouse.

“Did you really think I would leave you there?” he asked funny secret. “Of course not. I packed your bags before would.”

His voice was low and smooth, like he was telling a even asked you to come with me. I knew you

I gasped. He was so sure of himself! It made me angry,ut also… a little bit impressed. He always seemed to be ten steps ahead. A small laugh escaped me.

“Well, here’s a fun fact for you, Estevan,” I said, turning in my seat to look right at him. I tried to copy his sneaky smile. “I decided I was coming with you before you packed my bags.” I leaned a little closer, lowering my voice. “Did you think you could get away from me? I gave him a tiny wink.

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