No Escape from Love novel Chapter 9

"What are you doing? I have class!" I frowned.

A sleek black Bentley was parked at the university gate, its license plate clearly indicating its high value. I knew instantly that the car belonged to Alex.

Without a word, Alex grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the car. Once we stopped, he turned to face me, his eyes filled with confusion. "When you were skipping class every day to earn money for that guy from the Blake family, you didn't seem to care much about your education. So why does it suddenly matter now that I'm here?"

I was furious that he called me out like that.

"Get in the car," he ordered, opening the passenger door and shoving me inside.

I was even angrier now.

Alex slid into the driver's seat and glanced at me, his brows furrowing slightly when he caught my dark expression. "Are you upset because I interrupted that jerk's little confession?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself and not get infuriated with Alex.

"Why did you have to reveal my identity in front of everyone?" I asked, meeting his gaze.

His expression darkened. "Is being the Hastings family's heiress worse than being harassed by some jerk?"

I looked away, memories rushing back uncomfortably as I avoided his gaze.

"I'm just being realistic," I muttered, my voice low as I stared at my hands. "The Hastings family doesn't want anything to do with me, and honestly, I don't want anything to do with them either."

It was the truth.

I remembered how Alex had reacted when my mother first married into the Hastings family and the cold treatment I had endured back then.

"You'll have to see for yourself," Alex replied. "It's best if you go back and check on her."

As I thought about my mother, a mix of emotions washed over me.

When I was younger, she was always kind and gentle, taking great care of both Alex and me. Her pastries were especially delicious, and we both loved them. But everything changed after that incident...

I blamed her for what happened, though I knew nothing could be done about it now. What had once been confusion gradually turned into numbness. Over time, I started to feel like an outsider in my own home, and I rarely went back. Our relationship had become strained, and since starting university, I hadn't been home once.

But I wasn't heartless. I couldn't completely cut ties with her.

"Is she really that sick?" I asked, staring out the window as a heavy weight settled in my chest. "I don't want to go to the Hastings residence."