More Than A Favor

Chapter 73

“Yes.”

C Gets

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I was about to respond when Ashton leaned in and whispered, “I can’t help it. I can’t stop myself from wanting to be close to you, to care for you, and… to tease you.”

It made sense. If love were something we could control, no one in this world would ever fall victim to it.

I didn’t know what to say, but before I could reply, Ashton released me. “Drink plenty of water when you get inside. If you need anything, just call me.”

Pointing at my bag, he added, “Your room key. Let me open the door for you.”

“It’s okay,” I said, snapping back to reality as I stepped away from him. “I can open it myself.”

I hurriedly fumbled for my room key, swiped it, and slipped inside. Leaning against the door, I stayed there for a while, trying to clear my thoughts.

By the time Maya returned, I was already lying in bed. She moved carefully, probably trying not to disturb me.

I kept my eyes shut, unwilling to talk, but I heard her mutter softly, “She’s sleeping so soundly. Looks like I’m not needed here.”

Hearing this, I clenched my fingers lightly. It seemed Ashton had asked Maya to check on me.

Ashton… How did I end up getting involved with this man?

I didn’t know. Gradually, I drifted into sleep, only to find myself dreaming again. The dream was chaotic–a jumble of images of my parents and the scene of their car accident.

Even though I hadn’t witnessed the accident firsthand, I had once secretly looked through the police case files and seen the photographs.

Those images were burned into my memory, haunting me for years.

When I first moved in with the Mercers, I had frequent nightmares about it, but over time, they had faded. Yet that night, the dream returned.

When I woke up, it was still dark outside. I checked my phone–it was five in the morning.

Lately, I’d been waking up at this hour no matter how late I went to bed. Despite drinking the night before, my head felt clear.

I noticed a few missed calls and messages on my phone, which I hadn’t heard because it was on

silent.

Nora had called twice, and so had Tessa. I didn’t know why Tessa was calling, but I had an uneasy feeling. It was likely related to Logan–or maybe even Miles.

After thinking it over, I decided to reply to Nora first. Since it was too early to call, I opened WhatsApp and saw several messages from her:

“Why aren’t you answering your calls? Are you okay?” – “Did Mr. Drake kidnap you?” – “Answer your phone or reply to my messages. Otherwise, I’m calling the police.” – “You went to Mr. Webb’s bar to drink. Did something happen there?”

tracked down Mr. Webb’s place when she couldn’t find

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< Chapter 73.

my hotel door.

an emoji and a quick reply: “I’m fine.

rang. It was Nora calling. She was likely on

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take the call. As I did, I spotted Ashton. jogging below.

“Elaine, I think you should give Ashton

him last night. I’m not interested,” I replied firmly.

love and sworn

When I finished, my

a moment before answering. “Hello…”

clearly just an excuse–she must have had something

back right now. The amusement park project is under a tight deadline, and I’m working day

“I’ll visit once I get

rush like this? It’s not like the world’s ending. I’ll have a

his fault, Tessa. The deadline was set long ago,” I explained.

Tessa hung up, though she sounded

just drop

go from your life. First my

and now the

breakfast with Maya, Ashton was nowhere to be

the amusement park with us? Why’d

I didn’t respond.

“Elaine, Mr. Drake really cares about you. He even asked me to

“No!”

were drinking?” she asked,

I replied

knowing look, as if trying to read my

I

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be fine. I admire Mr. Drake’s looks,

levelheaded about it.

We quickly finished breakfast and headed to

we arrived, Ashton

didn’t you come with

replied, making Maya stick out

began working, and the morning passed quickly. Around noon, as Maya was about to order takeout, a luxury car pulled up.

have had something urgent