Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 26

Standing next to her, Hogan furrowed his brow upon seeing the situation and seriously said, “Ms. March, Cecilia meant well.”

Meant well, huh?

Yeah, right. The beloved princess giving a beggar a piece of candy in front of the prince – in his eyes, that was a grand gesture of kindness.

Who cares about the beggar’s pride?

I suddenly realized I was being a bit small–minded.

After all, cozying up to investors was part of the job too.

So, I picked up my noodles and said, “Lately, nothing’s been tasting right, just craving this bite.” Cecilia’s face lit up with understanding. “Oh right, the dishes from Aurora Eats are on the bland side.”

Different strokes for different folks, I guess that explanation will do.

The issue was dropped, but eating the cup noodles felt all kinds of wrong.

Before long, I started feeling queasy in my stomach.

A dull pain.

At first, I didn’t think much of it, but soon, the cramping hit me from all sides, making me break

a

some stomach medicine and, clutching my

Man, it hurt.

I couldn’t even hold

a “crash” as the glass slipped from my grasp

the pain, I tried to move and felt my legs

shards on the floor, I panicked and shut my eyes.

expected pain

arm tightly embraced me around the waist, and the sharp, brisk smell of soap filled my nostrils, bringing back a flood of fiery memories from

hug was too real.

Chapter 26

it felt surreal.

looked up to

veiled with a layer of misty sand, shimmering with slivers of concern

asked softly. “Can you stand?”

suddenly realized I was lying in

I was about to speak, Cecilia’s sweet voice cut in unexpectedly, “Hogan, what are your two doing?”

through the discomfort to break free from

calmly explaining. “Ms. March is feeling unwell,

was explaining to

me suspiciously and suggested. “Then we should take her to

voice was light, obviously just