Chapter10 Lydia Rivers found the whole thing absurd . Her disappointment crumbled into nothing but ash . She turned to leave - only for Chase Rylan to clamp a hand around her wrist . " What are you doing ? I'm not apologizing . " Her voice shook despite herself , but her eyes were frozen over . Chase stared into that steady refusal , something like pained conviction settling over his face . " Lydia , you're eighteen . When you do something wrong , you take responsibility and learn from it , or life will hit you harder next time . So ... I called the police . " The words struck like lightning . Lydia went still . Officers arrived quickly . With Chase claiming to be an eyewitness , they booked her on suspicion of intentional injury and placed her in Westbridge County Holding for seventy - two hours . The cramped , dim cell pressed hard against her claustrophobia . Her breath hitched ; cold sweat beaded her skin . The walls felt like they were closing in . Pain and panic gnawed at her mind until she was hollow . Three days later , she stepped out , pale and unsteady . Chase was waiting . Seeing how drawn she looked , his eyes softened with guilt . " Lydia , you're out . I've been thinking ... Maybe I handled it wrong , but I only- " She ripped her hand free , staring through him like he was sa stranger . The look cut him , yet he kept trying . " I know it's rough in there . I just wanted you to understand- Lydia didn't want to hear a word . She slid into a taxi and gave the driver her address . Chase followed in a rush , apologizing , coaxing , talking at the closed door between them . When they pulled up to the Rivers Estate , a moving truck idled at the curb . Workers carried labeled boxes up the steps . Chase blinked and climbed out after her . " Your parents ... leaving for London already ? " " Yes , " Lydia said . Understanding dawned and he shifted into an easy smile as Elaine Rivers and her husband approached . " Mr. and Mrs. Rivers , safe travels . I'll take Lydia to visit you in the UK whenever I can . " They both looked startled . " Chase , you mean you don't know 11 " Mom , " Lydia cut in , cool and sharp . She turned to Chase . " I'm home . You can go . I need to rest. " He assumed she was still angry about the holding cell . He sighed . " Fine , Rest up . Orientation's the day after tomorrow . I'll pick you up - we'll head to Northbridge together . " Chapter10 Dreame - Read Romance Stories 45.45 % Lydia didn't answer . She walked inside . Watching her back disappear through the door , Chase felt a flicker of unease - but told himself that once school started , she'd come around . She couldn't live without him . The door shut . Elaine turned immediately . " Lydia , you didn't tell Chase you're flying out with us tonight ? " Lydia shook her head , exhausted . " No need . He'll figure it out when I'm gone . " That night , Lydia boarded a red - eye to London with her parents . Before the plane taxied , she blocked and deleted every trace of Chase Rylan - phone , messages , everything . A clean cut . No looking back . On orientation morning , Chase packed his car for campus . The driver automatically pulled toward the Rivers Estate . " Pick up Sienna first , " Chase said instead . " She can't manage move - in alone . " The driver hesitated . " Sir ... Miss Rivers is still your girlfriend . Maybe you should check on her - things seem strained lately . " Chase's face cooled . " Since when is my business yours ? " Silence . A quiet sigh . The driver turned the wheel toward Sienna Quinn's place . Sienna climbed in , delighted , scooting close in the backseat , chattering and nudging for his attention . Chase answered absently , the driver's warning echoing despite himself . As they neared the Rivers Estate , Chase rehearsed how this would go . Would Lydia still be distant - or had she cooled off? How should he coax her ? It didn't matter . She loved him . A little coaxing and she'd fold . " Wait here , " he told Sienna , then jogged up to the familiar door and rang . No answer . He frowned and keyed in the code Lydia had once given him . The door swung open onto an empty hush . Sheets draped the furniture like ghosts . Dust motes drifted where sunlight fell . " Lydia ? " He bolted down the hall , threw open her bedroom door- Empty closet . Clean desk . Not a scrap of her life left behind . Panic seized his lungs . Cold swept his limbs . He stumbled back outside and spotted Mrs. Beaulieu next door carrying out trash . He rushed over , grasping at air . " Ma'am what happened to the Rivers family ? Why is the house empty ? " She blinked at him . " You didn't know ? They emigrated . To the UK . Left two days ago . Said they're settling there for good - won't be back . " Chupferto 45 45