Chapter 30
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By the time I finished, it was 3 AM and my eyes were burning. I tossed my phone aside and shut my eyes.
Just then, footsteps passed my door, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing. Ashton was back. Despite the late night, I woke up early to noise outside. My eyelids felt like lead, so I stayed in bed even though I was awake.
“Ashton, could you come home early tonight? I want to have dinner with the new tenant,” Chloe’s voice made me smile, even half–asleep.
Her enthusiasm about having me for dinner was sweet – it felt like being home again.
“Won’t be back. You two eat without me.” Ashton’s voice was as harsh as a judge’s.
How dull. Any woman who liked this guy had to be into punishment. I mentally criticized Ashton.
After two meetings, he hit every red flag. Not my type at all.
After he left, I got up. Still in my PJs, I lazily pushed open the door. Sunlight flooded the courtyard, filtering through leaves and scattering golden spots everywhere.
“Elaine, you’re up! Just made some sweet potatoes. Want some?” Chloe
held out a bowl.
I loved simple things like this. “Sure,” I said.
“Come sit and eat,” she invited, already at the table under the honey locust
tree.
It reminded me of my parents and childhood. Tears suddenly welled up.
“Mrs. Sutton, I was actually born in this courtyard,” I said, eating the sweet potato while sharing my family’s story. Chloe nodded eagerly, clearly touched. “You’re Ethan Hart’s daughter? That’s amazing! Why didn’t you
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mention it yesterday?”
I felt emotional. “I worried you might think differently and not let me stay
“That’s silly. When I bought this place from your parents, it was all above board. Nothing to worry about,” she said, looking at me. You look just like your mother. Such a beauty.”
My memories of Mom had faded, but I remembered she was beautiful
“Elaine, since you’re here alone, you must be single. How about I fix you up with Ashton?” Chloe’s words made me choke.
Chloe’s matchmaking caught me off guard. Ashton’s cold, expressionless face flashed through my mind.
Remembering his blunt refusal about the room swap, I felt mischieras “Yeah, why not?”
Though I agreed, I wasn’t serious about it.
After breakfast, I borrowed Chloe’s bike and spent the day cruising around
town.
I got back in the evening with an art board–drawing was my thing
Before my parents passed, they’d signed me up for everything–dance, painting, calligraphy, even guitar.
Though I dropped everything after they died, I kept drawing. It was simple enough – just needed a pen and paper.
Besides sightseeing, I sketched the new Amaty. My parents always wanted to come back here, but never could. So I decided to capture today’s Amaty
for them.
“Elaine, what took you so long?” Chloe rushed over, giving me a knowing
wink.
Confused, I started, “Mrs. Sutton…”
“Ashton’s back, and I talked to him,” she nodded toward his room.
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I remembered our morning conversation and cracked up. “Mis, Sutton, 19 actually told him? I was kidding!”
“Honey, you don’t kid about these things. Besides, it’s done, she 240 seriously.
“What’d he say?” I asked casually, parking the bike.
“He wants to talk to you himself.” Chloe nudged me, grinning hopefully, “Looks promising.”
I laughed. “If it works out, you’ll get a wedding invitation.”
“Deal,” she said earnestly. “Now go freshen up. I’ll tell Ashton to get ready”
“No need. We’ve met before.” After all, we’d seen each other at our worst.
“This is different. It’s official.” Her insistence made me laugh.
I had to admit, I was happy here. Free to wander, draw, speak my mind. This must be what freedom feels like.
Despite Chloe’s urging, I went to my room and flopped on the bed without changing. My phone had been buzzing with Instagram notifications all day I was curious who’d messaged.
Seeing Maya’s avatar, disappointment hit me. I’d secretly hoped for
something from Logan. Not expecting an apology or reconciliation, but…
I’d vanished without a word, and he hadn’t even checked on me? Talk about feeling worthless.
Even if he saw me as just family or a coworker without romantic feelings, he should care enough to ask. Like Miles, who called from overseas when he heard. But Logan? Nothing.
I opened Maya’s messages. There were tons.
“Elaine, is it true you and Mr. Mercer aren’t getting married? What happened?”
“People at work are saying Mr. Mercer has someone else. Is it that woman he hugged?”
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“Elaine, where are you?”
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“Did you run away? Don’t do anything crazy. There are plenty of guys out there…”
“Elaine, please answer. I’m really worried.”
Seeing her messages end with a crying emoji, I replied, “I’m fine. Don’t overthink or gossip. Focus on work. Back soon.”
She responded instantly, “Elaine, what happened with Mr. Mercer?”
I wrote back, “Nothing.”
She was typing when Chloe called, “Elaine, ready yet?”
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More Than A Favor
Chapter 31
