More Than A Favor

Chapter 26

“What’s the use of missing them? Focus on what you’re going to do next,” Nora said, noticing the pain in my eyes and deliberately changing the

subject.

“Since you broke up with Logan, are you still going to work for him?” Nora

asked.

The water boiled, so I made two cups of instant coffee. “I’ve already sent the handover materials to the respective people. I’ve written my resignation letter. Once the amusement park inspection is done, I’ll resign.”

“Good choice. The idea of staying friends after a breakup is nonsense. Only distance helps you move on.” Nora fully supported my decision.

I nodded.

Nora, worried I might feel sad, didn’t linger on the subject. She glanced around my house and said, “You should get some new appliances here- maybe a fully automatic washing machine, a coffee machine, and a robot.

vacuum.”

“I’ll do it once I get back,” I replied.

Nora, sipping her coffee, looked at me curiously. “Where are you going?”

It took me four hours to reach Amaty by high–speed rail. The city lights were just coming on. It wasn’t as bustling as Hilcord, but it was still brightly lit, with the charm of a small town. Nora’s call came right on time. “Are you there yet? Have you found a place to stay?” she asked.

She hadn’t expected me to leave so quickly. When she’d asked earlier where I was going, I gave her the address and the time of my train ticket.

Nora thought I was leaving in such a hurry to avoid Logan, assuming I was afraid he’d try to cling to me.

I told her she was wrong–Logan wouldn’t do that. He was probably still angry. After all, I’d stood him up.

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And now, it seemed I was right. Since the time he’d called to ask why I didn’t show up to register for our marriage, he hadn’t texted or called me

once.

I also didn’t want to be pestered–not by Logan, but by Tessa and Ethan. They’d definitely try to find me and convince me to change

Trying to persuade me would only waste their energy and exhaust me. So, it was better to leave quickly and not give

the chance.

now–a number Logan didn’t know. It was my dad’s old number, one I’d kept in the other slot of my phone for ten years. It had rarely rung until now.

rush,” I said, glancing around the unfamiliar city. Everything

area. Check the closet and under the bed before you sleep. Make sure

and door,” Nora instructed.

concern.

sighed in relief. “Elaine, you must

matter what.”

I said. “My mom and dad went through so much here. Even

a picture of my dad’s handwriting–a note with an address

screen, then looked up at me. I couldn’t help but look at him too, and I was a little surprised by

and somewhat intimidating. Over the years, the men,

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had interacted with were always meticulously groomed, usually dressed in

man, however, gave the impression of someone who had just been released from prison.

Nora had slipped a pepper spray and a folding knife into it

I could reach for them, the man had already started the car without saying a word.

look he had given me?

after arriving in this city, started racing erratically. Distracted by my wariness, I didn’t even notice the scenery

paid and got out. Watching the

Coming here at this hour had been reckless. I could’ve waited until the morning to look for my parents‘ old home. But now that I was here, there was

very old. The walls were crumbling, the uneven ground was full of potholes, and puddles dotted the road. My suitcase couldn’t be

was looking for was 42 Old Alley. I followed the house numbers along the street until I found it. There was even a “For Rent”

anyone really rent this place? Only a fool

rooms on all sides, with a tree standing in the middle. It was too dark to tell what kind of

a honey locust. It

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7. Chapter 25

for someone or a place to

turned to see an old woman with gray hair, leaning