Chapter 259
A few days later, Ellie stood at the entrance with her suitcase in hand and said, “I just need to clear my head for a bit and will return in a few days.”
Her family assumed Ellie wanted to be alone to process her emotions regarding Alex, so they didn’t try to stop her.
“It’s wise to get some fresh air. Many cities have been experiencing rain lately; please take care,” Joanna repeatedly advised Ellie as she prepared to leave.
*T’ll just wander around for a few days and I’ll be back soon,” Ellie reassured her family, lowering her gaze to hide the guilt that flashed in her eyes. Once she returned, she hoped to share a peaceful life with them.
“Ellie.” Just as she was about to leave, Alex’s parents walked in.
Seeing Alex’s parents drenched from the rain and their clothes muddy, obviously showing they had fallen, Ellie set down her suitcase.
“Nancy, what’s wrong?” Ellie said gently, noticing how Nancy was shaking when Nancy held her hand. The dark circles under Nancy’s eyes indicated she hadn’t slept well for days.
In tears, Nancy exclaimed, “Ellie, has Alex come looking for you?”
Surprised, Ellie glanced between her family and Alex’s parents, shaking her head. Nancy continued, “The police just raided our house. They said Alex has escaped from prison.”
The shock of Nancy’s words hit the Thompson family like a bolt of lightning. Ellie’s heart sank, confusion swirling in her mind. The family exchanged worried glances; it was clear to everyone that an escape meant serious trouble lay ahead.
“The police are searching the entire city for him; everyone is looking for him now.” Nancy cried. “With just one desire to see you, he would resort to attacking a prison guard to escape.”
As Nancy cried helplessly, Ellie felt overwhelmed. ‘Why would Alex risk everything just to see me?‘
“I’ll find him.” Aaron went out.
Nancy said, “I beg you, Ellie, if Alex comes to you, you must get him to turn himself in. Otherwise, he will be in terrible danger.” Alex’s parents hurried out.
“I need to step outside for a moment,” Jason said, quickly leaving the house as well.
Ellie stood at the entrance, staring at her suitcase, feeling completely numb. ‘You crazy man. What are you planning to do?‘ With everything that had just happened, she couldn’t possibly leave now.
Everyone, including the police, was out looking for Alex. Drenching rain poured down as Ellie stepped into the garden, her eyes fixed on the door, feeling lost.
At that moment, in a maternity store, a window shattered. Alex, dressed in his prison garb and covered in blood, stumbled inside.
He staggered to the restroom, turned on the tap, and placed his injured head directly under the stream of water. He scrubbed away the blood on his hair, face, and arms, then grabbed paper towels to clean himself up.
“I can’t frighten her or the baby,” he murmured to himself. “I’ll just take a quick look, and then I’ll go back.” Despite the red rims around his eyes, he smiled softly.
Fresh blood continued to flow from his wounds, but Alex paid no attention. He rushed through the store searching for items he wanted to give Ellie. Surely, she was expecting a girl. He piled up pink baby clothes and tiny dresses from the shelves.
‘But what if it’s a boy?‘ He quickly grabbed a few white onesies and baby bottles. ‘She must be going through a tough time during her pregnancy. I wonder if her feet are swollen.
Alex tirelessly grabbed maternity clothes, comfy shoes, and even a massage chair. Within moments, he held a massive bundle in his arms. He kept reaching for more items, causing some to tip over.
13
When he couldn’t find a bag, he grabbed a baby blanket from a shelf above to wrap everything up. He spotted a small drum resting on a stroller—a little toy. He quickly stuffed the drum into his pocket and dashed out into the rain.
Ellie stood motionless in the garden, gazing at the front door. Her thoughts broke when she heard Whitney’s voice.
“You’ve been standing out here for over two hours. Come inside; you just recovered.” Whitney pulled at her arm, but Ellie wouldn’t move. It wasn’t until Joanna came outside that Ellie finally listened.
Moments later, Alex arrived at the Thompson residence, carrying baby supplies. He hugged his bundle tightly as he pulled the little red drum from his pocket and pounded on the door, shouting for Ellie with wild desperation in his eyes.
The police had caught wind of his presence and were closing in; he was short on time. Due to excessive exertion, he accidentally worsened his injuries, blood dripping down his arm onto his hand.
Yer Alex seemed oblivious to his pain. He grabbed the gate of the Thompson residence, shaking it frantically and yelling.
With police sirens becoming louder, he clutched his burden with one arm and attempted to scale the gate with the other.
“I’ll just take a look at her, and then I’ll go back,” he murmured repeatedly.
Struggling and injured, his climb slowed. Just as he was about to leap inside, he was hit by a police rubber bullet, striking a critical area.
In an instant, Alex lost consciousness, collapsing with the supplies he held. The red drum fell in the Thompson residence. In his final moments, he held a pink baby bottle with his left hand while his elbow cradled two tiny garments and a pair of flat shoes meant for a pregnant woman.
Tears glistened in his eyes, his lips slightly parted, as if he still had words left unspoken. Soon, both he and the items he took from the maternity store were taken away by the police.
“Mom, I hear someone calling my name.” Ellie, feeling uneasy in the living room, thought she heard Alex’s voice.
She rushed out of the room, sprinting to the entrance. Flinging the door open, she found no one.
“Where did this little drum come from?” Joanna asked. Ellie turned to face her. To her horror, she saw the small red drum in Joanna’s hand, clearly stained with blood.
B
