Love After Leaving: No Regret (Agnes and Raymond) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Pemping the Mountain Town

Rebecca was stunned. Had her mother been completely brainwashed?

She knew it was time to leave.

So on a dark, moonless night, she ran.

Bhished

From a forgotten mountain town, across ridges and valleys, begging her way through strangers’ kindness, until she reached Grandridge

Alone in a strange city and still so young, nobody would hire her. She hit walls everywhere and ended up living on the streets.

When she was hungry, she scavenged through trash cans or waited for people to finish their meals at restaurants, rushing in to grab leftovers before the waiters could clear them.

She got chased off countless times and even fought stray dogs for food.

When she was tired, she slept under bridges like a rat.

That day, she’d had a fever. She arrived too late-the restaurant was already closed.

It was raining. She was miserable. She dashed into the supermarket just to get out of the downpour.

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Love After Leaving: No Regret

Chapter 54 The Shadow in the Mirror

Finished

She saw the warm cookies on the shelf. Her stomach grumbled in hunger. She grabbed a handful, stuffed them in a bag-

But before she could reach the door, she was caught by the staff watching the cameras. Then, she met Agnes.

So, that terror in Rebecca’s eyes when the store ladies threatened to call the police-

It was never about the cops. She was terrified they’d contact her parents and send her back. That would’ve been the end.

Agnes was speechless when Rebecca finished. She’d thought her own life had been hard.

own

But compared to Rebecca, Agnes had been blessed.

At least she had a perfect childhood; though she lacked a father’s love, her mother had always adored her.

Agnes looked at this girl-her resilience, her refusal to break, her defiance against fate-and made a quiet decision.

She would sponsor Rebecca’s living expenses and education. By then, Agnes’s embroidery brand, Tidewhisper Lily, was already gaining traction.

When Rebecca heard Agnes wanted to pay for her schooling, she couldn’t believe it.

Had an angel fallen into her life? A girl barely older than herself, helping her again and again.

Rebecca dropped to her knees and bowed so low her forehead hit the floor, tears streaming down her face.

Agnes pulled her up.

“Hey-I’m not doing this for free. I just started an embroidery studio, and I need an assistant.

“You can work for me while you go to school. That way, you’re earning your own tuition. Deal”

Γ And so Rebecca became Agnes’s assistant. She was grateful, and she was brilliant

Every task Agnes gave her was executed flawlessly-thorough, meticulous, not a single mistake.

Over time, the haunted, withdrawn girl turned back into who she’d always been underneath: bright, lively. and occasionally ridiculous.

Under Agnes’s nagging, Rebecca grabbed her bag and made a face at her.

“Fine, fine, I’m going! But seriously-look at those photos I sent you. Stop working 24/7.

“If I had your face and your body, I’d have a hundred boyfriends minimum

Agnes sighed. “Is it spring already? Someone’s out of control”

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Chapter 54-The-Shadow in the Mirror

Rebecca replied, “Spring, summer, fall, winter-love waits for no season!”

Finished

Agnes said, “Stop talking nonsense. Be careful on the road and text me when you get home.” Rebecca said, “Yeah, yeah! And when that billion hits, you’re buying me dinner!”

Agnes flashed an OK sign. The thought oka billion dollars genuinely lifted her mood.

Hillary was probably losing her mind right about now. Served her right.

After Rebecca left, Agnes dove back into managing the Tidewhisper Lily online store.

A while later, she checked her phone out of habit. An hour had passed since Rebecca left. There was still no text from her.

Rebecca’s apartment was close to campus and not far from Agnes’s place-maybe a twenty-minute walk.

Usually, Rebecca would text as soon as she arrived; it had become a habit.

But today, an hour had passed with no word.

Agnes frowned. Where had that girl gone this late? Had she not arrived yet?

She dialed Rebecca’s number. It rang and rang. There was no answer.

A cold unease crept in. She called again. And again. Nothing.

Rebecca almost never ignored Agnes’s calls. Even a missed one would get a callback within minutes.

And she never went anywhere at night without telling Agnes first.

The feeling turned into alarm. Agnes threw on a coat and headed for Rebecca’s apartment.

She got downstairs and saw that Rebecca’s light was on.

Huh? Agnes thought maybe Rebecca had just forgotten to text.

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