The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

"Kari, Ronald's gone "

With those words, Kari bolted out the door.

The moment she saw the empty room, she froze.

Everything was tidy.

The bed was made, not a speck of dust in sight.

There was a book on the desk. She walked over, picked it up, and noticed a few crumpled dollar bills.

It wasn't much.

Probably all the money Ronald had.

Willa's eyes welled up with tears at the sight of the bills, "Without Calista, how's Ronald gonna make it?"

Even though Ronald was mature for his age, he was just a teenager, around fifteen or sixteen. Without his family, how could he survive?

Kari, staring at the money, suddenly had a realization and blurted out, "Mom, I know where Ronald went. I'll go find him!" And with that, she dashed out the door again. Willa tried to respond, but was stopped by a phone call.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

It was the weekend, and Kari searched every place Ronald might be, even the auto repair shop, but came up empty-handed.

Finally, Kari went to the old factory they'd visited before. The place had been abandoned for years and was rarely visited by anyone.

Pushing open the door, Kari saw a few newspapers on the ground with signs of someone having laid there.

It was Ronald.

After searching the factory without finding him, Kari just sat down, folding a newspaper into a makeshift fan, fanning herself while waiting.

She hadn't eaten anything before leaving that morning. After hours of waiting, hunger, fatigue, and sleepiness overcame her. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes to rest. Some time later, the factory door creaked open, and a tall figure walked in against the light.

"Ronald!"

Kari snapped awake, jumped up, and ran to him, "I knew you'd be here."

Ronald hadn't expected to see Kari, instinctively stepping back, "Why are you here?"

Kari blocked his way, "Why did you leave this morning?"

Ronald was drenched in sweat, his handsome face showing signs of fatigue, "I can't keep staying at your place."

"Ronald-"

"Have you eaten?"

In Ronald's hand was a box of fries, plain.

Kari shook her head.

Ronald led her to sit by the newspapers, opened the box, and shared half with Kari, "Eat up, then we'll go back." "And what about you?"

Kari was starving, but her concern for Ronald was greater.

Ronald frowned, "I'm planning to drop out."

"Drop out? Kari panicked, "Your exams are coming up, and you're top of the class. You could get into the best high school. If you drop out, what will you do with the rest of your life?"

Ronald had always excelled academically.

The school had even promised him a scholarship if he made it as the city's top student in the exams. That money would be enough to cover his high school education. Ronald bit his lip, silently eating his fries.

Kari stared at him for a long while, then said, "Come back home with me. I'll give you all my allowance."

"Ridiculous!"

Ronald scolded softly, "Your mom's already struggling to raise you alone. You should focus on your studies, not worry about an outsider like me."

The word 'outsider' stung Kari, her face flushing with anger.

Seeing her upset, Ronald softened

his tone, 've got debts from my mom's funeral to pay off. Once I've settled that, I'll find a way to earn money for school. It won't take too long."

Kari was unconvinced, "That's not gonna work."

"If you won't come back with me, then I'll just stay here."

Stubbornly, Kari grabbed the fries and started eating voraciously. Once she was done, she laid back on the

newspapers, "Whenever you decide to come back, that's when I'IDleave."

Ronald pinched the bridge of his nose, "Kari-"