Page 210 of My Ruthless Neighbor

So I caved and went out yesterday. The experience was wonderful. So much so that I decided to do it again. Because it helped me forget the pain. At least for a little while.

The day was going well until the pain sneaked up on me, making me miss Archer.

Goldie makes a high -pitched sound and bumps his nose into the side of my face. Fighting tears, I press a kiss on his furry head. Smiling at my travel partner, I say, “Let’s build a snow man.”

After building a snow man which didn’t really look like a snow man, we took several photos with the polaroid camera. Then we spend the noon wandering the town, stopping by a small dog-friendly restaurant to eat.

When Goldie throws a tantrum and lies down in the middle of the road, refusing to walk, I carry him in the red dog carrier backpack. I knew he would get tired that’s why I came prepared.

It was tiring to carry him as he was getting bigger but we were having a great time and I didn’t want to return back to the chalet just yet. I needed a few more hours drowning my mind in the beautiful distraction of Zermatt.

???

After showering, I trudge back to my room, staring outside the glass window as I pass by it. It’s already dark.

Shivering, I climb into my bed and finally pick the phone off the night stand. I purposely avoided checking it until now because I knew there would be messages and calls from Raleigh and others threatening to send pictures to prove that I did go out instead of lying.

But as soon as I unlock it, I frown. Aside from Raleigh’s and Hannah’s there are several missed calls from Mrs. Kim. I immediately call her.

“Ma? Is everything okay? I just saw your missed calls—”

“Honey, I’m so sorry.” She starts in a hurry. “I told him.” Her voice gets distorted and I pull the phone away and frown. It has service. I put it back to my ear.

“Hello, Ma? Can you hear me? Okay, good. Calm down and speak slowly. What’s wrong? You told what?”

I shiver again. Damn. I should’ve worn something over the thermal wear. But my toxic trait is thinking I could handle the chill just fine.

I contemplate walking out of the room for better service when she says, “…Archer.”

The temperature drops lower than it was at the mention of his name. I tug at the comforter, startling Goldie who was lying on it and pull it over me. I make room for him and we both huddle under it.

“Can you hear me?” She asks.

“Yes,” I murmur. Then, “What were you saying about him?”

Her voice breaks again. “Hello?”

“He…” Some more distortion, “land.”

“What?” I ask. “Hello? I can’t hear you.”

A knock on the door interrupts us. “Hold on. There’s someone at the door.” I get off the bed, the phone still glued to my ear. Maybe it’s Franziska, the cook who comes by to prepare meals.

Goldie jumps down too. And dashes to the door before me. My eyebrows go up. Usually, he is not this enthusiastic when he is tired. Strange.

“Summer, are you there?”

“Yes, just a moment.” I make a beeline to the front door, my socks clad feet thudding on the wooden floor.

When I reach it, Goldie begins to snake around my legs, almost tripping me. What got him so excited?

“Goldie! Stop it.” I am looking down at him as I reach for the door handle and twist it open.

“He is in Switzerland.” Ma blurts out.

I pull the door open as I ask her, “Who’s in Switzerland?”

“Me.”

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