Not 16

Chapter 16 

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She instinctively turned around, only to see a giant black shape hurtling toward her. 

Terrified, she slumped to the ground. 

Dogs had petrified her since childhood, and this monstrous one pushed her panic beyond limits. 

The dog was barely half a meter away, and she could even hear its panting. 

She froze, unable to even utter a sound. 

“Axel! Come back!” 

Just then, a girl in athletic wear with a high ponytail appeared in front of her. 

The Rottweiler immediately ran back to her. 

“Good boy!” 

She bent slightly to pat his head and feed him a treat. 

Only then did Claudine come back to her senses. She blinked slowly, trying to calm down. 

“Sorry. You must be frightened.” 

The woman walked toward Claudine and pulled her up. 

“Axel just returned from abroad with me and hasn’t been familiar with the surroundings. I took him out for a walk, and I didn’t expect him to charge at you like that.” 

Claudine forced a smile in response. 

Restless, Axel came forward, wanting to approach her. 

Her hair stood on end as her gaze fell upon the massive dog, its shoulders nearly level with her waist. 

The woman smiled, “Don’t let Axel’s size fool you. 

“He’s actually very gentle. He just wants to get closer because he likes you. See? He wants to play. with you.” 

When saying this, she even led Axel closer to Claudine. 

Claudine took a few steps back to distance herself from them. 

“Thanks, but… no.” 

Even the sight of Axel terrified her. There was no way she’d come near him. 

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03:51 

Chapter 16 

The woman didn’t insist. 

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She smiled while extending her hand, “Where are my manners? I’m Audrey Lavigne, and I’ve just come back to the country. I guess we’re neighbors, huh?” 

Introverted as Claudine was, she didn’t lack basic courtesy. 

Smiling, she said, “Hi. I’m Claudine Hogan.” 

Audrey murmured Claudine’s name before smiling, “I love your name. And you’re so pretty. No wonder Axel likes you the first sight.” 

Her compliment felt backhanded. 

But Claudine decided to let it slide. 

She had never been one for socializing. Though they both lived here, she didn’t think they’d see each other often. 

“It’s getting late. See you,” she said, ready to leave. 

To her surprise, Audrey followed her while leading Axel. 

“I’ve been living abroad with Axel before. And I came back this time to reunite with my partner and daughter,” Au- drey said. 

Claudine frowned. Why was Audrey telling her this? They had just met. 

Perhaps after all this time abroad, Audrey found everyone back home familiar. 

She smiled and said nothing. 

Just then, Audrey’s phone rang. 

She glanced at the screen before smiling and picking up. 

“I’m downstairs. Axel is naughty today and scared someone.” 

The person on the other end of the line said something, and she blushed, smiling sheepishly. 

“Alright. I’ll come home now to see the surprise you’ve prepared for me.” 

She hung up and entered the elevator with Claudine. 

Glancing at Claudine, she said with a smile, “That was my partner. 

“He said he’d planned a surprise party for my return. Why don’t you join us? The more, the merrier.” 

Claudine eyed the dog from the far corner of the elevator, eyeing the dog, but the unease lingered. 

She and Audrey had just bumped into each other. Being neighbors didn’t mean they had to start visiting or getting 

close. 

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Chapter 16 

So when Audrey invited her with that warm smile, Claudine hesitated. 

“Thanks, but I’d hate to ruin your night.” 

The elevator stopped at Claudine’s floor. She stepped out. 

Audrey smiled and waved goodbye as the doors slid shut. 

Back in her apartment, it was pitch dark, and the air felt heavy. Claudine opened every window just to breathe. 

Then she dropped onto the couch and closed her eyes for a bit. 

A sudden blast made her jump. She looked out the window and saw fireworks lighting up the sky. 

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