Shattered Longings Novel
Shattered Longings 71

Chapter 71 Inescapable Loneliness

Chasing the robber had already drained Bella of most of her energy, and it was clear she was now completely exhausted.

She had regretted it a thousand times. Why had she been so foolish to chase after him alone? She might lose her life over a few belongings and shouldn’t have been so stu Staring down the alley, she kept telling herself to hold on. She was almost out, almost there. Once she reached the street, she could shout for help and be safe.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to the ground.

The water puddle soaked her thin clothes, clinging to her skin and accentuating her curves.

The robber crouched down and grabbed her neck. A gleaming knife pressed against her cheek. “I’ve never met a woman as bold as you. Come have some fun with me, and I‘ your stuff back. Don’t be a bitch.”

Bella dared not breathe as her mind raced to replace an escape, but the robber gave her no time. He seized her like a small bird and dragged her deeper into the alley.

She didn’t dare struggle, with the knife pressed against her lower back and fear blanketing her mind. She knew what was coming.

Like most women in her situation, she was terrified and cried, but she didn’t beg, knowing it would be useless and only provoke him further.

“Who’s there? What are you doing?”

A sudden shout from the entrance of the alley gave Bella a glimmer of hope. “Help!”

The robber was interrupted in his crime and flew into a rage. Abandoning Bella, he charged forward with his knife.

Bella was dazed as she saw a single person walk into the alley, Panic set in when she realized the robber had a knife!

By the time she tried to warn him, it was too late. The robber had already injured the person and ran away.

Bella hurried over to check on the person and discovered it was Simon! Without hesitation, she asked, “Where are you hurt?

Simon clutched his wound and struggled to straighten up. “I’m… I’m fine. Are you okay?”

Bella didn’t say anything and simply nodded. The hospital was nearby, less than a mile away. She rushed Simon there and performed the surgery herself.

His injury wasn’t too serious. The knife had penetrated his ribcage but fortunately missed his internal organs. A few stitches would be enough.

After coming out of the operating room and checking over Simon, she collapsed onto a bench outside the ward. A wave of desolation washed over her, breaking her last bit of resilience.

She couldn’t understand why fate was so cruel to her. If she hadn’t been saved, her life would have been ruined even if she had survived.

It was midnight. She had just escaped the jaws of death and was covered in dirt and grime.

Her phone was silent. There were no messages and no missed calls. It seemed no one cared about what had happened to her.

In a world of billions, she felt utterly alone. Could anything be more heartbreaking? It wasn’t hardship that could break a person; it was the invisible loneliness.

Her finger hovered unconsciously over Dominic’s number. Feeling a strong urge, she dialed it on impulse.

She knew he wouldn’t answer, so she didn’t put the phone to her ear. Instead, she stared intently at the dialing screen.

Suddenly, the screen changed, and the call timer started running. 1, 2, 3…

He had answered.