More Than A Favor

Chapter 86

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As Ashton spoke, his grip on my hand tightened briefly. His eyes narrowed slightly, and something flickered in their depths–a fleeting emotion I couldn’t quite name.

But then, as quickly as it came, the pressure on my hand eased, and he let go.

I stepped back instinctively, rubbing the spot where his grip had been firm. “I’ve made all the changes you marked. Do you want to review them now?”

Ashton remained seated, lounging in the chair. He didn’t even open his eyes. “No need. You should go

rest.”

“Okay. Good night,” I replied, turning to leave.

But just as my hand reached for the door, I heard him call out softly, “Elaine.”

I froze in place, my heart skipping a beat.

Elaine.

It was my nickname. Only my parents had ever called me that when they were alive, and occasionally Nora, though she usually stuck to “Elaine.”

I turned back to face him, my brows furrowed in confusion. “What did you just call me?”

“Nothing,” Ashton said, his voice calm as he kept his eyes closed. “Just… don’t forget to close the door.”

Bewildered, I stared at him for a moment longer. Then, making sure the door was firmly shut, I left his

room.

Instead of heading straight back to my own room, I leaned against the wall in the hallway. My breath came in shallow bursts, and my heart raced uncontrollably.

No matter how much I tried to calm myself, the events of the evening replayed in my mind–Ashton’s intense gaze, the feel of his hands encircling mine, and the way he had called me Elaine.

I shook my head and forced myself to return to my room. After collapsing onto the bed, I grabbed phone, hoping the distraction would bring some clarity.

On WhatsApp, I noticed several unread messages.

my

One from Nora read: “The villains always live forever. He’s not dead or even seriously hurt, just lost at

lot of blood.”

and replied: “I’ll aim harder next

was likely asleep or busy with another surgery.

I opened my chat with Caleb. His

Caleb: “If you’d had this attitude earlier, maybe things wouldn’t have gone so far.”

message made me

words–how she claimed

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< Chapter 86

typed a reply: “Caleb, does Logan… owe Selene something?”

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I added: “Or does Logan owe something to Selene’s

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came. Setting the phone down, I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take

was silent, save for the soft sound of Maya’s breathing.

she mumbled in her

turned to look at

pushed her during the day for her to curse him even

in my mind again–his sharp features, his steady voice, the way he

the more I thought about it, the less flustered I felt. Eventually, I drifted

barefoot through a sunlit meadow. Behind me, a boy’s voice

to see Ashton, younger and full of energy,

I woke. It was the second time Ashton had appeared in my

remembered–when I was younger, I used to dream of a boy who carried me on his back. He had a mole near his shoulder blade,

had called me

It was Olivia, the landlord of the unit across from mine.

issue, I answered, “Hello, Mrs.

early, Elaine,” she said politely.

What’s up?” I replied, taking a

about your request, but he

off.

t

sense of déjà vu, as if I had heard

don’t worry,” she continued. “I’ve checked his background. No criminal record, no bad

could finish, Ashton’s

I have your fried egg?” he asked,

registered Olivia’s words as I hastily ended the call with, “Okay, thanks,” and turned

no, that’s fine,” he said casually, already peeling

mine!” Maya offered enthusiastically,