ma chérie | cl16

chapter twenty-four

Summoning all her courage, she forced herself to face him and meet his cold blue gaze. His eyes resembled the ocean during a storm—unstable and terrifying. And that was also the perfect description of him.

Adeline took in a sharp breath before turning to see him after so many years.

"Hunter."

Mixed feelings. Mixed thoughts.

That's how Adeline would describe what was going on inside her head now. She had never imagined this situation before—what would she do if they met; what would she say to him?

She had simply convinced herself that this scenario would never happen. It was better that way, for her own sake. But now, when this tall man with dirty blonde hair and an unkempt short beard was standing in front of her, wearing a checkered shirt with some jeans—she wasn't prepared.

But could anyone prepare for this? Probably not.

"Long time no see," Hunter said, and a playful smirk appeared on his lips. It wasn't playful coming from him; it was rather evil.

"Not that I've missed you," Adeline lifted her eyebrows, taking a step back. She was looking at the man who made her life a living hell, and she for sure didn't want to be close to him. "You can't talk to me, do you know that?" Adeline pointed out, checking the distance between them.

"You look so different. How?" Hunter completely ignored Adeline's question. It was as if he didn't even listen to her. Although, he had never listened to her. Only himself.

Adeline finally recognized one of the emotions overwhelming her mind and body, even though she didn't show it. It was pure rage.

"We haven't seen each other in six years. It's called time. Have you heard of it?" Adeine clenched her jaw as she tried to stay as calm as possible. Freaking out wouldn't help the situation at all. It would only make Hunter happy—and he had no power over her anymore.

"Didn't you read the restraining order? You're way too close to me. I can call the police and sue you, get you arrested. Again," she said, taking another step further from Hunter. She didn't want to cause a scene at the Borough Market, so she decided not to yell at him.

Despite the prohibition against speaking to or approaching Adeline, Hunter only took a few steps back and raised his hands, failing to create enough distance between them. It seemed like he didn't care about the restrictions at all.

"I only wanted to tell you... I will try to cancel the restraining order. I'm a different person now, and I promise I won't hurt you," Hunter said as his eyes were piercing into Adeline's.

What?!

"Are you joking, right?" Adeline let out a sarcastic chuckle. "If you were a different person, you'd never try to cancel it. You would stay away from me, and you would stay away from every single woman on this earth," Adeline's eyes burned with anger as she couldn't believe the audacity of this man.

Adeline knew that some people could change eventually. Not Hunter, though. He had put her through hell two years in a row—always with the same excuse.

I love you. I'm sorry. I'll change. This isn't me. It's your fault. I'm the good guy. You made me treat you like this. And again. I love you. I'm sorry. I'll change. This isn't me.

Bullshit. Adeline had always excused the way he had been treating her, and then she had started to believe that maybe she had deserved it.

Another bullshit.