Love's Tangled Web by Donna Taylor

Chapter 4

Alex was offering Ellie a way out. All she had to do was play nice call him by his name, and set up a meeting with Haley. Her internship would be back in an instant.

But Ellie shook her head, her resolve firm. She could find another job, but getting involved in Alex’s pursuit of her brother’s girlfriend? That was a line she wouldn’t cross.

As she walked away. Alex’s eyes followed her, his expression hardening. He remembered the quiet girl from the poor village, always in the background, quick to help. She had grown, her once timid presence now replaced by a confidence that challenged him

With a dismissive flick of his cigarette. Alex’s voice was laced with a hint of a threat. “Ellie, we’ll see how long your defiance

Lasts

Ellie had been holed up in her tiny apartment all morning, wrestling with the urge to spill the beans about her job loss to her brother, Aaron. Finally, she decided it was time to come clean.

Over lunch, they both grabbed beef stew. Aaron, just as he settled in, threw out a question. “Hey, you weren’t scared going into your first surgery, were you?”

As Ellie met her brother’s gaze, the pride there choked her up, and the confession she was carrying got lodged in her throat. “Rough day in the OR?” Aaron continued, fishing out the last few slices of beef from his bowl and plopping the Ellie’s, then playfully stealing some of her vegetables.

into

With her head down, go from the

hospital,” she managed Watched the beef pile up in her bowl, her eyes starting to sting. “Aaron, I… I got l

Aaron’s hand froze, but he quickly recovered, offering comfort. Just a setback, that’s all. Take your time with the next gig. 1 got your back on the bills.

Ellie’s eyes caught on the frayed edge of Aaron’s shirt collar, and a silent heartache swelled inside her.

In this day and age, it was unusual to see clothes worn down to the threads. Despite Ellie and Aaron both bringing in some income, their dad’s disability and constant need for meds, along with their mom’s full–time care, meant they were stretched

thin.

of putting it: “Ellie, a little hardship? That’s nothing. We just

missing meds could be as

giving up, even when their conditions weren’t fatal. But she got it now–they weren’t giving up on life, they were just up against a wall financially.

fork and gave her hair a comforting ruffle

it, but you’re not going hungry, he assured her. “And I snagged you some sandals online. They’ll be Here soon. If they don’t fit, we’ll swap ‘em out, no worries.

gaze flicking back to the worn collar. She ducked her head to mask the moisture in her

the heat and

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Fri, Jan 24

Chapter 4

mind busy and

her phone buzzed in her pocket. Thinking it was her brother or Haley, she was taken aback when she saw it was the police calling.

accused him of leaking confidential documents and selling

but one thing

she spotted her friend at the police station entrance. Haley looked stunning in her stylish

up the air conditioning. Despite the cool air, Haley was sweating. “Ellie, has Aaron had any issues with anyone

head. Aaron was a law student known for being responsible and cautious. He would never do anything to ruin his future. You know him. He wouldn’t break the law, even if

friend of mine hinted that

a chill run down her spine. She had just been fired that morning, and now Aaron was in deep trouble. It had to be connected.

Tomorrow, I’ll find a way to meet with Aaron and

around for days, trying to figure

her parents for support. But instead of helping, they insisted that Haley break up with Aaron immediately after hearing about the Shen family’s situation. This led to a huge fight, and

really wanted to tell Haley the truth–that Alex was behind everything and that he had feelings for Haley. But every time she thought about Alex’s warning, she lost her

in a tough spot. If she ignored his threats and told Haley everything,