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.”

message and

likely asleep or

Caleb. His messages were focused

headshot your ex. That’s impressive.” Caleb: “Keep this between us, but good job.” Caleb: “If you’d had this attitude

last message made

couldn’t stop thinking about Selene’s words–how she claimed Logan owed her and had

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< Chapter 86

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

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I added: “Or does Logan

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none came. Setting the phone down, I closed my

the soft sound

she mumbled in her

a laugh and turned to

the day for her

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

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

child again, running barefoot through a sunlit meadow. Behind me, a

younger and full of

the second time Ashton had appeared in my dreams, making me question if we had crossed paths

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

had called me

Olivia, the landlord of the unit across from

resolved the issue, I

so early,

replied, taking a sip of my milk.

request, but

off.

t

vu, as if I had heard them before.

his background. No criminal record, no bad habits. He’s quite decent–looking, too.

could finish, Ashton’s voice interrupted.

have your fried egg?” he asked, gesturing toward

hastily ended the call with, “Okay,

fine,” he said casually, already peeling

offered enthusiastically,