Chapter 103
I checked my calendar and realized Ethan’s birthday was in three days.
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It didn’t feel right to bring up business on his birthday–I didn’t want to ruin his celebration. So, I decided to deliver his gift early and ensure I wouldn’t have to visit on the actual day.
Just as I was planning my visit, Miles showed up unexpectedly.
I hadn’t seen him since we left the amusement park, and at first glance, I barely recognized him.
“Have I changed so much that you can’t recognize me?” Miles joked, his usual lightheartedness
evident.
Seeing him reminded me of Ashton, and I smiled faintly. “If your mom saw you like this, she’d definitely be worried.”
“No, she said I look more manly now,” he said with a grin, clearly trying to make me laugh again.
I pressed my lips together. “You do look more masculine.”
Pleased, Miles touched his face. “I think so too.”
Despite his attempts to lighten the mood, I found myself unsure of how to respond.
Thinking about my visit to Ethan, I decided to ask him, “How have Tessa and Ethan been lately?”
“They miss you a lot,” Miles replied, his words hitting me harder than I expected.
It was true–I used to visit the Mercer estate every day after work. Tessa and Ethan had been a constant part of my life, but since I moved out, I hadn’t visited even once.
“I’m planning to visit them today,” I said after a brief pause. “I need to discuss something with Ethan.”
Miles looked at me curiously. I could tell he wanted to know more, so I didn’t keep him in suspense.
“Logan has been aggressively interfering with the company I joined, even going so far as to poach our clients,” I explained.
Miles didn’t look surprised, which told me he already knew.
Sure enough, he said, “I’ve already told my dad about this. He’s not happy about your resignation.”
I stayed quiet, but Miles pressed on. “I’m here today as a messenger for my dad. Elaine… please come back to the company.”
His serious expression made me smile despite myself. “If you fail your mission today, will Ethan punish you?”
I remembered a specific incident during my third year living with the Mercers. Ethan had assigned Miles a task, and when he didn’t complete it well, Ethan kicked him–twice.
It was the first time I’d ever seen Ethan get physical, and he hadn’t held back.
Miles hadn’t reacted at the time–he didn’t cry or try to explain himself–but when he saw me watching,
I noticed the embarrassed flush on his face.
I realized then that I should have hidden away to spare him the humiliation.
“Are you making fun of me?” Miles asked with a smile, probably recalling the same memory.
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< Chapter 103
“No, I…” I started to deny it, but before I could finish, he interrupted.
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“But I’m not here to persuade you today,” he said, his tone unexpectedly firm. “Even if it means getting beaten when I go back.”
“Huh?” I looked at him, confused.
He pursed his lips slightly and continued, “I understand why you left, and I know why you gave up your cherished amusement park. How could I force you to go back?”
Miles smiled–a radiant, boyish smile that reminded me of simpler times. “Besides, I know you wouldn’t return even if I asked, so I won’t embarrass myself by trying.”
He truly understood me.
Before Miles left for his studies abroad, I’d always enjoyed my time with him at the Mercer estate more than I did with Logan.
Logan, while kind, often played pranks to scare me. Miles, on the other hand, never did. He always protected me and had even scolded Logan for frightening me more than once.
He had always been like a real brother to me.
“Does Ethan also support Logan’s antics?” I asked, since Miles had mentioned that Ethan knew about Logan’s behavior.
“No,” Miles replied firmly. “My dad scolded him and warned that if he acted out again, he’d be kicked out.”
I believed him.
During my years living at the Mercer estate, I’d come to understand Ethan’s character. He always kept business and personal matters separate, and if Logan made a mistake or a poor decision, Ethan didn’t hesitate to discipline him.
But Logan seemed undeterred. He was still aggressively poaching clients from my new company, determined to crush us entirely.
“It seems Ethan’s warning didn’t work,” I said, my voice trembling with frustration.
Miles noticed my distress. “Is Logan still at it?”
“Yes,” I replied, trying to keep my emotions in check. “He’s determined to destroy my company completely.”
Miles’s jaw tightened with anger. “He’s going too far. I’ll talk to my dad about this.”
“I’ll handle it,” I said quickly. “I have a birthday gift for Ethan anyway. I’ll see if he likes it.”
Miles’s eyes brightened at my words, and he smiled warmly. “Great! Are you going today? We can go to gether.”
Seeing his excitement, I pressed my lips together. “Yes, today, but I’m bringing someone with me.”
“Who?” Miles asked, his smile unwavering. “A friend?”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “My boyfriend.”
The smile on his face froze instantly.
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That brief moment of shock and heartbreak pained me more than I expected.
I could tell Miles had feelings for me–Tessa had mentioned it before as well. But it was better to let him face the truth now. I had to dispel any false hopes and help him move on.
After a long pause, he asked in a shaky voice, “Elaine… your boyfriend is…”
“Ashton Drake,” I said firmly.
Miles’s expression darkened. “Elaine…”
“Brother,” I said, cutting him off. “I know what you’re going to say, but I wouldn’t joke about my happiness, nor would I act out of spite.”
It hurt to say these words, but they needed to be said.
Miles’s handsome face was filled with hurt. “But I can’t believe you’ve moved on from Logan so quickly
I almost wanted to laugh. If he knew this, why had he developed feelings for me?
No, I realized, Miles’s feelings for me likely started long before he went abroad. Maybe that was why he stayed away for so many years.
The thought tightened my chest painfully.
I turned away from him and said coldly, “Miles, you’re mistaken. I won’t waste time on someone or f eelings that aren’t worth it.”
After a pause, I added, “Besides, Ashton is better than Logan in every way. Why wouldn’t I move on?”
I could feel Miles’s eyes on me, and my body tensed under his gaze.
After a long silence, Miles spoke again. “Fine. Even if you’re over Logan, you’ve only known Ashton for a few days. Do you really know him well enough?”
His voice was calm, but his concern was evident.
Miles’s words were persuasive, and I could tell he was genuinely worried about me. Perhaps he didn’t want me to start a new relationship with anyone–so he could still hold onto some hope.
But I couldn’t let him.
I scoffed. “Does knowing someone well matter? I knew Logan for ten years. I knew how long he took to pee and the exact temperature he preferred for his showers. Can you know someone better than that? And what did it amount to?”
The words stung as they left my
mouth.
Loving Logan so deeply, to the point where I adored even the smallest details about him, had made me feel pathetic and heartbroken.
I had truly loved him, so much so that his betrayal felt irreparable.
“Logan is an exception. Not all men are like him,” Miles said, placing a hand on my shoulder and gently turning me to face him.
