Chapter 158
Get 5)
Meny
Caleb didn’t even give me the chance to say no. I sighed, clutching my phone as I turned back to Ashton. After a brief pause, I walked over to him.
Before I could say anything, Ashton spoke first. “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow,” he said abruptly.
His words caught me off guard. “Leaving? Where to?”
Ashton kept walking, his tone calm but distant. “Back home.”
Home? Did he mean Amaty? But hadn’t he said he would stay here? He’d even rented an apartment.
His mention of the apartment reminded me of Jane and the favor she asked of me about the demolition. I hadn’t even brought it up with Ashton yet.
I wanted to ask why he was suddenly leaving, but instead, I said, “I’ll stop by tomorrow night to check the lighting setup.”
Ashton glanced at me, his expression unreadable, but his silence seemed to say, You might have time, but I don’t.
I waited for him to refuse, but after a few seconds, he simply said, “Okay.”
I could tell he was holding back.
Ashton wasn’t making things difficult for me, even though he had every right to. He was the one sacrificing, not me.
In that moment, guilt hit me hard. I was taking advantage of his feelings for me, treating him unfairly simply because I could.
People were cruel like this. The one who chased always ended up hurt. I’d been in that position before -with Logan. Memories of all the pain I’d endured came rushing back, and I thought about the saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
“Ashton,” I called his name softly.
He turned to me, his gaze steady but tinged with sadness.
“I have to meet Caleb tonight,” I explained. “I asked him to look into something for me, so I can’t miss
it.”
Ashton’s gaze darkened slightly, but he nodded. “Okay,” he said quietly.
Trying to lighten the mood, I teased, “Tomorrow night, you can cook dinner for me, and then we’ll check the lights together.”
His lips twitched slightly. “Elaine, I’m not a child you can bribe with food.”
I pouted playfully. “Oh…”
Ashton’s brow furrowed slightly, and I leaned in closer. “Ash, is that not enough? What will work?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I noticed him stiffen. His ears turned red, and his eyes wavered with emotion.
I hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. Seeing this tough, composed man flustered because of me was both endearing and thrilling.
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Just as I thought he might say or do something, he spoke in a low, serious voice. “You reject me, avoid me, and then you flirt with me. Elaine, are you deliberately stringing me along?”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The hurt in his eyes was unmistakable, and guilt surged through me.
I swallowed hard and forced a weak smile. “Well… see you tomorrow,” I said softly before turning and
walking away.
As I left, I realized I might have gone too far.
I didn’t want to get emotionally involved with Ashton, yet I couldn’t stop myself from teasing him just to see how he would react. It was frustrating–self–sabotaging, even.
The more I thought about it, the worse I felt. I shook my head in self–mockery and even considered giving myself a pinch for my behavior.
Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a familiar voice call out, “Elaine.”
Looking up, I saw Selene standing not far away.
From the look on her face, she must have seen everything.
It was… humiliating.
