Chapter 143
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The silence on the phone was suffocating.
Just as I was about to come up with something to end the call, Tessa spoke again, her voice low and filled with bitterness. “It’s all because of that woman. I will never forgive her for this.”
Her words carried a venom I had never heard before. It made my spine tingle, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
After a pause, she added, “Elaine, come look after him when you’re free. Only you can make him feel a
little better.”
Her plea placed a tremendous weight on my shoulders. I didn’t want to bear the responsibility, but I couldn’t refuse her. “I’ll come by when I can,” I said softly.
When the call ended, I leaned back weakly against the seat of the cab. It felt as though an invisible weight was pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
When I got home, I curled up on the sofa, my mind racing with questions. All the evidence I had gathered pointed toward Alfred Kramer.
But Alfred and Ethan were business acquaintances. Why would Ethan associate with someone like
him?
And there was the hidden route. Why would the road to Alfred’s sanatorium be marked as private if there was nothing to hide?
My thoughts spiraled in every direction, my head throbbing with the strain of piecing everything together.
Grabbing a pillow, I buried my face in it, hoping to smother the chaos in my mind. It was my way of coping when I felt stuck, though it never truly helped.
I didn’t move until I felt like I was suffocating. Only then did I lift my head, gasping for air.
A knock at the door startled me.
At first, I thought I was imagining it, but then someone called my name.
“Elaine.”
I froze, listening carefully.
“It’s me, Ashton.”
I blinked in surprise. What was he doing here? Had something happened?
Opening the door, I saw him standing there in a black T–shirt and construction pants. He looked effortlessly good, as always.
“Why are you here?” I asked, still stunned.
Before he answered, his hand pressed gently against my forehead. The warmth of his touch was unexpectedly comforting, grounding me in a way I couldn’t explain.
“You don’t have a fever anymore,” he said, lowering his hand and raising the bag he was holding.
I glanced at it–a bag full of fresh vegetables, the leaves still vibrant and green
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“How about salad and steak for lunch?” Ashton asked with a small smile. His tone and demeanor reminded me of a caring husband.
I hesitated. “That’s too much trouble. I can just order-”
He cut me off before I could finish. “You shouldn’t eat anything greasy right now.”
I didn’t even realize when he had stepped inside, but the next thing I knew, Ashton was in the kitchen, tying an apron around his waist.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but feel indebted. He had done so much for me, and I didn’t know how I could ever repay his kindness.
I held a glass of water as I leaned against the kitchen door, watching him work. He moved with practiced ease, chopping vegetables with expert precision.
“Why do you have time to come here? Have you settled everything at the playground?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“Almost,” he replied, his focus never wavering from the cutting board.
“Let me know when you’re done,” I reminded him.
“Alright,” he said simply.
I found myself staring at him, unable to look away. He was attractive from every angle, his broad shoulders and confident movements captivating me.
My gaze drifted lower, and I couldn’t help but notice how his pants hugged his toned figure.
Embarrassed by my own thoughts, I quickly shifted my attention to the mole on his neck. “We didn’t call each other today, did we?”
“No,” he replied, still focused on his task.
“How did you know I was home?” I asked, the question suddenly occurring to me.
I hadn’t told him I was home, nor had I informed anyone else. Yet he had shown up with fresh produce, clearly knowing I was here.
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