Chapter 20
Elliot stood on the streets of Coastal Town, the sea breeze carrying its salty, humid scent hitting him in the face.
He gazed at the unfamiliar yet bustling city before him, his eyes gloomy and weary.
A whole month–he had searched nearly every corner of Coastal Town, yet still found no trace of Sophie.
His assistant’s lead only confirmed she had bought a ticket to Coastal Town, but in such a large city, where could she be hiding?
Elliot rubbed his temples, days of relentless searching leaving his eyes bloodshot.
He lifted his wrist to check his watch–already 9 PM, pedestrians on the street gradually thinning out.
He walked aimlessly, his gaze scanning every passing figure, afraid to miss any possibility.
Suddenly, his steps came to an abrupt halt.
Not far ahead, a woman in a white dress stood with her back to him under a streetlight.
Her slender silhouette, the way her hair lifted slightly–everything looked exactly like Sophie.
Elliot’s heart suddenly constricted, his blood seeming to boil instantly.
Almost instinctively, he rushed forward, grabbing the woman’s wrist, his voice hoarse and urgent: “Sophie!”
The woman was startled and whipped around–it was a stranger’s face.
“Who are you?!” The woman panicked, shaking off his hand and backing away two steps.
Elliot froze in place, the light in his eyes instantly extinguishing.
It wasn’t her…
Looking at the vast sea of people, Elliot suddenly laughed.
The laughter was hoarse and bitter.
He pulled out his phone and called his assistant: “Keep searching… turn Coastal Town upside down if you have to, but find her.”
After hanging up, he looked up at the night sky, his expression stubborn and crazed.
Sophie, where exactly are you…
Morning sunlight filtered through white curtains. Sophie opened her window, and the humid sea breeze carrying a faint salty scent
rushed in.
She took a deep breath, her lips curving slightly upward.
She had used part of that money to take over this guesthouse–a three–story building facing the ocean, with a courtyard full of roses
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Stand–In Bride’s Escape: No More Chains, Only Freedom
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AWA
Chapter 20
and lisianthus she had planted herself.
Every morning, she would cut fresh flowers to place in each room of the guesthouse.
“Elena, today’s breakfast smells amazing!” Several college students staying for summer vacation waved at her from downstairs with
smiles.
Sophie’s eyes crinkled with warmth: “I’m glad you like it. There’s more in the kitchen if you need it.”
She turned and headed downstairs. Just as she reached the courtyard, she saw Ryan approaching with a bag of fresh fish.
“Just caught at the dock this morning–I’ll make you soup for lunch.” He waved the bag at her with a gentle smile.
Sophie accepted it, her fingertips accidentally brushing his palm, the warm sensation traveling through the contact straight to her
heart.
Both froze momentarily, then tactfully looked away.
Over these past few months, Ryan had become the most familiar person in her life.
He was like a beam of light shining into her dark world.
The old Sophie had always lived in others‘ shadows, lacking independent thought, living in a daze.
It was his presence that made her realize she could be cared for, that she had the right to do whatever she wanted.
“By the way, didn’t you mention wanting to try crème brûlée while watching videos recently?” Sophie retrieved a whole box of cream pudding from the freezer, topped with a thin layer of caramelized sugar she had specially made that morning.
Ryan’s eyes lit up with undisguised delight: “I knew you’d make it for me.”
He eagerly took a spoonful, immediately tasting the sweet, creamy richness.
E
Though he usually didn’t enjoy sweets, he ate three entire servings without getting tired of it.
“Better than five–star hotel desserts,” Ryan praised sincerely.
“Then I’ll make it for you often.” Sophie smiled with her eyes curved like crescents.
Ryan nodded, his gaze settling on her face with something left unsaid.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He paused, finally just shaking his head: “Nothing, just thinking… you look really good now.”
Much better than when she first arrived in Coastal Town, when she would always stare at the ocean lost in thought.
Sophie was momentarily stunned, then smiled softly: “Yes, this place suits me well.”
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