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

respond. She was likely asleep or busy with another surgery.

chat with Caleb. His messages were

but good job.” Caleb: “If you’d had this attitude earlier, maybe

made me pause.

stop thinking about Selene’s words–how she claimed Logan owed

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“Caleb, does

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at my phone for several minutes, waiting for a reply, but none came.

room was silent, save for the soft

her sleep, “Ashton… you’re so

turned to look at her.

her during the day for her to curse him even in her

sharp features, his steady

the more I thought about it, the less flustered

sunlit meadow. Behind me, a boy’s voice called out, “Elaine,

to see Ashton, younger and

his name lingered in my thoughts as I woke. It was the second time Ashton had appeared in my dreams, making

dream of a boy who carried me on his back. He had a mole near his shoulder blade, just like Ashton did.

he had called

was Olivia, the landlord of the unit across from

resolved the issue, I answered, “Hello,

so early,

What’s up?” I replied, taking a sip of

the tenant about your request, but he refused–even with compensation. So…” She

off.

t

words gave me a sense of déjà vu, as if I had heard them

worry,” she continued. “I’ve checked his background. No criminal record, no bad habits. He’s

she could finish, Ashton’s voice interrupted.

can I have your fried egg?” he asked, gesturing toward my

I barely registered Olivia’s words as I hastily ended the call with,

that’s fine,” he said casually, already peeling a boiled egg.

Maya offered enthusiastically, lifting her egg from her