Chapter 87
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The tension in the air was thick, but finally letting Ashton know the truth felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Without a word, he grabbed his phone from the table and left the room.
Maya immediately turned to me and exclaimed, “It’s over.”
But I wasn’t fazed. I had never intended for things to progress between Ashton and me, so whether he was upset or misunderstood didn’t bother me.
After all, we were just two people whose paths had briefly crossed. I had no intention of pursuing a relationship, not because of one heartbreak but because I simply didn’t have the energy for it right
now.
After breakfast, I planned to drop Maya off at work and then head to my interview. I had only sent out my résumé yesterday and was surprised to have received an interview invitation early this morning.
The quick response was unexpected, but I welcomed the opportunity to start working soon.
When I reached the parking lot, I spotted Miles’s car. He parked, stepped out, and opened the back door for Tessa, who emerged with a familiar elegance. It was clear they had come specifically to see
- me.
“Tessa,” I greeted, walking over to her.
“Elaine.” Tessa took my hand, and to my surprise, tears immediately welled up in her eyes.
Her reaction left me momentarily stunned. I glanced at Miles, who handed her a handkerchief. “Mom, you’re going to scare Elaine acting like this. Just tell her what’s on your mind. Why are you crying?”
Tessa dabbed at her tears with the handkerchief and said, “Elaine, let’s go home and talk, okay?”
I looked at Miles again, searching for an explanation. He sighed and offered a brief one. “Mom couldn’t reach you by phone, and you weren’t responding to her messages. She was so worried she didn’t sleep all night and insisted I bring her to find you. She knows about Logan now.”
1 had expected as much.
“Tessa, let’s go to a restaurant instead. You probably haven’t had breakfast. We can talk there,” I suggested, not wanting to return to the Mercer Estate.
Tessa shook her head. “I don’t feel like eating.”
“Then let’s at least sit and talk,” I insisted. She hesitated before nodding in agreement.
I turned to Miles. “You should take Maya to the amusement park. I’ll stay with Tessa and make sure she gets home afterward.”
Miles glanced at his mother, then back at me, and nodded. “Thanks.”
After Miles and Maya left, I brought Tessa to a nearby restaurant. While she insisted she wasn’t hungry, I went ahead and ordered her favorite breakfast anyway.
“Elaine, I know what that jerk Logan did. None of this is your fault. He deserved that hit,” Tessa began, her words laced with guilt.
I lowered my gaze, unsure of how to respond.
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“Elaine, it’s my fault for not raising him better,” she continued, shaking her head regretfully. “He’s made so many mistakes, and in the end, he’s hurt you most of all.”
I bit my lip before replying, “Tessa, it’s not your fault. Logan is an adult. He’s responsible for his own
actions.”
Though I wasn’t entirely sure of her intentions for coming here, I suspected she wanted to convince me to forgive Logan.
But forgiveness wasn’t the issue anymore; Logan and I were over. What I feared was that Tessa still harbored hope for us to reconcile.
Tessa nodded, her expression somber. “You’re right. Don’t carry any guilt over this.”
“Tessa, you’re overthinking it. I’m not burdened because I’ve done nothing wrong,” I said firmly.
My directness seemed to catch her off guard, but she quickly nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes. You’re absolutely right. It’s all on Logan.”
She paused before continuing, “Elaine, Ethan doesn’t think your resignation was a good idea. Logan will apologize personally and ask you to come back.
Her words surprised me, but I maintained my composure.
“Tessa, I’ve already resigned and applied for other jobs. In fact, I have an interview today,” I replied calmly.
“What? So soon?” Her astonishment was evident.
“Tessa, the truth is, ever since Logan and I didn’t get the marriage certificate, I’ve been planning to leave,” I confessed, meeting her gaze directly.
My expression was steady, free of regret.
“Even if Logan was okay with it, staying at the same company after our breakup would have been awkward for me. I didn’t want to force it.
“So, even if Logan hadn’t agreed to my resignation, I would have left after wrapping up the amusement park project,” I explained.
Tessa shook her head. “Elaine, you don’t have to do this. If you feel awkward or uneasy, you could transfer to a subsidiary or another department. You don’t have to leave completely.”
“Tessa, I appreciate your concern, but I feel it’s time for me to explore other opportunities,” I said firmly.
Her eyes brimmed with tears again as she shook her head. “Why did it have to come to this?
“If you can’t be my daughter–in–law, that’s one thing. But now, you’re leaving the company too. Elaine, are you planning to leave us completely?”
Her words tugged at my heart. Over the years, I had developed a bond with Tessa and Ethan that couldn’t be easily dismissed.
“Tessa, I promise I’ll visit you and Ethan often,” I reassured her gently.
Hearing this, she wiped her tears and asked, “Elaine, tell me honestly. Do you already have a new boyfriend?
“Is that why you’re making this decision? Are you worried he might have reservations about your past
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< Chapter 87
with Logan?*
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Meru
I couldn’t help but laugh softly at her assumption. It seemed everyone thought Ashton and I were more
than friends.
“Tessa, I’m not dating anyone right now. And even if I were, no one has the right to dictate my life. You’re overthinking it,” I clarified.
“Then promise me you won’t leave the company,” Tessa pleaded.
She hesitated before adding. “At the very least, let me know where I can reach you. Call me occasionally, and don’t disappear completely.”
Her reluctance felt like that of a mother unwilling to let go of her daughter.
“Even if I leave the company, I’ll still be working locally, Tessa. I won’t be far. You can call me anytime you miss me,” I assured her.
Tessa fell silent, seemingly resigned to my decision. I thought the conversation was over until she said, “Elaine, there’s something I want to ask, but I’m afraid it might upset you.”
Her words made my heart skip a beat. Was she about to broach a sensitive or unwelcome topic?
“Tessa, maybe it’s best left unsaid,” I suggested, trying to preempt her.
She seemed surprised by my directness but quickly smiled. “But I have to say it, Elaine. It’s about your happiness.
As expected from the chairman’s wife, she had a subtle way of addressing delicate matters.
I smiled faintly. “Go ahead, then.”
“Ethan plans to let Miles start his own company. Would you consider helping him?” Tessa asked.
Her tone was gentle, but her implication was clear. She wasn’t just asking me to assist Miles; she was subtly suggesting I consider a future with him now that things with Logan had ended.
It reminded me of the old saying, “Charity begins at home.” If I couldn’t marry Logan, perhaps I should marry Miles.
“Tessa,” I said, meeting her gaze directly. “If I were to date Miles in the future, how do you think Logan would react? And how would the two brothers get along?”
Tessa’s lips moved, but no words came out. Finally, she said softly. “I just can’t bear to see you leave, Elaine. I can’t bear to lose you.”
“In that case, Tessa, I’d rather be your goddaughter,” I said firmly.
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