Chapter 4Sold to the Savage: The Runaway’s Return

Lately, Silas had been leaving early and coming home late. I heard the old ladies in town say he was doing some risky business, moving goods.

I remembered what he asked that night. I was worried and wanted to ask, but I didn't dare.

Until one day, while washing his clothes, I found a wallet in his pocket. The wallet was old, the leather peeling. Inside the fold, there was a black-and-white photo.

It was a girl in a white dress, standing at a school gate, smiling brilliantly. It was Claire. Or rather, Claire before she left for the city.

So, he really was still thinking about his first love.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes and brows really did look a bit like the person in the photo. My heart felt like it had been stung by a wasp—a sour, stinging pain. After thinking for a long time, I put the photo back.

That night, Silas came back with a roast chicken and a jar of expensive face cream. It was high-end stuff, only sold in the department stores in the city.

"Bought it for you. Put it on your face." He tossed the items to me, his eyes dodging mine, but the tips of his ears turned red.

Before, I would have been happy. But now, looking at that cream, I only felt he wanted me to maintain this face that looked like Claire.

"Silas." I gathered my courage to call him.

"What? You feeling sick?" Silas immediately reached out to touch my forehead. I dodged him.

Silas’s hand froze in mid-air, his face darkening. "Ellis, what are you throwing a tantrum for now? I didn't hurt you last night."

"Are you... saving money to go to the city to find Claire?" I gripped the hem of my shirt tightly and asked.

Silas’s expression instantly became weird. Like his secret was exposed, but also shocked. He went silent.

That silence was an admission. My heart went cold.

I don't know how I survived that night. Silas wanted to hold me, but I pushed him away. He didn't force it. He just turned his back to me and didn't speak.

In the middle of the night, I heard him sigh. He took the blanket that covered him and quietly tucked it around me.

"Ellis, just wait a bit longer..." "Once the deal is done, everything will be fine."