More Than A Favor

Chapter 129 Get 5 > Menu I no longer lingered to eavesdrop after hearing Selene's words. That revelation alone was enough to leavereeling for days. All my suspicions about Logan had been answered, but I hadn't anticipated this.

Liam. I remembered him vividly-a slender, cheerful man who radiated a boy-next-door charm. He had been nothing but kind. It was tragic enough that he died so young, but knowing that he left this world betrayed by the two people closest to him-his wife and his best friend-was unbearable.

I finally understood why Logan had been so devastated and guilt-ridden after Liam's death. He was the reason for it.

It also explained why Liam's parents had treated Selene so poorly after his passing and refused to acknowledge her child. They likely believed the baby wasn't even Liam's.

When I first discovered Logan's infidelity, I didn't feel much anger-just disappointment. But now, my chest burned with fury. Logan wasn't just a cheater; he was a pathetic coward whose actions had cost his best friend his life.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Nora ledback to her office so I could calm down. I sat down in silence, staring blankly at the floor.

Although Liam and I had never been particularly close, I could feel the weight of his despair. I could imagine the suffocation he must have felt in his final moments-the betrayal and heartbreak that must have consumed him.

"Logan is unforgivable," Nora said, her voice trembling with anger.

I nodded faintly. "Now that Selene has blamed everything on him, he has no choice but to keep making amends. He owes her that much. But Selene isn't innocent either-Logan wouldn't have pursued her if she hadn't encouraged it." "It takes two to tango," Nora agreed, her tone bitter. "But she's acting like it's all Logan's fault. And don't forget- she's willing to end Liam's bloodline just so she can marry into the Mercer family. She's evil to the core!" I picked at my nails absentmindedly, murmuring, "Nora, whatever you do, make her keep the baby." Nora sighed, her expression softening. "Elaine, I understand how you feel. But even if I delay the procedure, she'll just go to another clinic. And let's be real-Selene has her sights set on Logan. She's not going to keep the baby. Even if she does, that child won't live a happy life." Her words stung, but they were true.

I suddenly recalled a quote I'd read somewhere: "Nobody has the right to dictate someone else's life." As much as I hated to admit it, I had no right to decide for Selene.

Still, the thought of losing Liam's last connection to this world devastated me. If this baby ceased to exist, so would Liam's legacy.

I felt helpless and hollow-an ache deeper than anything I'd felt when I learned of Logan and Selene's affair.

"If Logan has any conscience left, he won't let Selene go through with this,” Nora said, her voice heavy with frustration.

16:11 31.72% I closed my eyes. "Let's hope he doesn't disappoint us again." While I was trying to calm myself in Nora's office, my phone rang. It was Logan.

"Can you ask Nora to stop Selene's abortion?" he asked, his voice strained.

At least there was still shumanity left in him.

I repeated Nora's earlier words to him before adding, "Logan, she's used her baby to emotionally manipulate you before, and now she's willing to give it up just to marry you. Whether the baby lives or not isn't up to Nora-it's up to you." Logan's silence on the other end of the line was telling. After a long pause, he asked in a low voice, “You know everything?" "Selene ctoand asked if Ethan and Tessa would accept her baby. I think you know my answer to that,” I said bluntly.

Logan didn't respond. After a few moments, he ended the call.

Later, I reached out to Caleb to find out where Liam was buried. I didn't know why I felt compelled to visit him. After all, we hadn't been close.

Maybe it was empathy.

Liam and I were both casualties in this tangled web of betrayal. I had lost what I thought was my truest first love. Perhaps I would fall in love again someday, but it would never feel as bittersweet or pure as my first.

But Liam... Liam had lost everything. He had lost his love, his life, and his family's happiness. He was his parents' most cherished child, and now he lay forever beneath a cold tombstone.

I couldn't help but feel sorrow for him.

On my way back from the cemetery, it began to rain. The location was remote, and no cabs were available, so I trudged through the rain, my clothes quickly soaking through.

By the tI got home, I was drenched and shivering. I sneezed several times and felt a creeping grogginess take over me. Weak and exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed without even changing out of my wet clothes.

That day, I fell into Chapter 130 Ashton was unlocking his door, carrying a bag of groceries.

Get 5 > = Menu Perhaps I had opened my door too abruptly because he turned to look at me, his brows furrowing slightly. I stood there, staring at him blankly as though I had lost my ability to speak.

Finally, he broke the silence. "What's up?" His words snappedout of my daze, and I quickly shook my head, as if to dismiss his question.

"Are you sick?" he asked, putting his grocery bag down and walking toward me.

I was still too muddled to process his words properly. Instead of answering, I just shook my head again.

Without waiting for an answer, Ashton reached out and placed his hand on my forehead. His touch was cool, and I could hear a faint note of sternness in his voice. "You're running a fever." I blinked at him, still too dazed to respond.

Ashton didn't ask for more confirmation. He stepped pastinto my apartment and scoopedup into his arms with such ease that I instinctively grabbed onto him for balance.

He carriedto the couch and gently laiddown. Looking around, he asked, "Where are your slippers?" It was only then I realized I was barefoot. My mind was still wandering, and I blinked at him, unable to respond. Ashton's eyes softened with a hint of helplessness. Without another word, he disappeared into my bedroom and returned with my slippers. He crouched down and placed them at my feet.

"Do you have a thermometer?" he asked, his voice calm.

Instead of answering his question, I mumbled, "I want swater." He hesitated briefly before standing to fetchsome, but when he reached the kitchen, he found the kettle empty.

Rather than boiling water, Ashton returned, pickedup again, and carriedout the door. I was too tired to question him or resist, so I let him takewherever he wanted.

Soon, we were at his apartment. He laiddown on his couch and went straight to the kitchen. I could hear the sound of water boiling as he returned with a thermometer in hand.

"Do you know how to use this?" he asked.

I froze briefly, not answering. He placed the thermometer in my hand and, as if anticipating that I might fumble or drop it, wrapped his hand around mine.

"I can't do it for you, so you'll have to do it yourself," he explained patiently. "Put it under your armpit." He waited forto follow his instructions, his gaze steady and unwavering.

After a moment, I finally complied, pulling my collar aside and placing the thermometer under my arm. Ashton looked away politely and headed back to the kitchen.

When he returned, he handeda glass of water and a pill. "Here. Take this." 16:11 31.98% < Chapter 130 Ocets I obediently put the pill in my mouth and took a sip of water. Although I was usually good at swallowing pills, the water seeped into this one too quickly, and the bitterness spread across my tongue.

Unable to handle the unpleasant taste, I instinctively spat it out.

#Vend Ashton's quick reflexes saved the pill-and my saliva-from falling onto the floor. He caught it in his hand without showing a hint of disgust.

"It's okay," he said gently. "Have swater, and you can try again later.” Seeing my dazed expression, he asked softly, "Do you want something sweet?" I didn't answer, continuing to sip the water he had given me.

Rising to his feet, Ashton walked away and returned a moment later with a piece of candy. "Here," he said, holding it near my lips. "It'll help with the bitterness." I hesitated, memories of my childhood flashing through my mind. My parents used to prepare candy forwhenever I had to take bitter medicine. They didn't wantto have too much sugar, so the treats were rare, but they never failed to makefeel better.

After my parents passed, no one ever gavecandy again-not with medicine, not at all.

"It's sweet," Ashton said, brushing the candy lightly against my lips. His gesture was so gentle that I couldn't resist.

I opened my mouth, and he placed the candy inside. Almost immediately, tears welled up in my eyes and began streaming down my cheeks.

"Why are you crying?" he asked softly, cupping my face to wipe the tears away.

His tenderness only madecry harder.

Ashton's hands moved gently, trying to keep up with my tears. He took the my th cup fromand squeezed my hand réassreassuringly. "If the medicine is too bitter, you don't have to take it. It's okay." After a moment, he leftalone. I buried my face in my hands, letting the tears flow freely.

The thermometer under my arm beeped, signaling that it was done. I pulled it out and saw the reading: 38.2°C.

Ashton returned with a towel wrapped around something cold. "You've got a fever," he said, confirming what I already knew.

"We'll use ice to bring it down," he continued. "Have swater. If your temperature drops, you won't need the medicine." He gently lifted my legs and helpedlie down on the couch. Then, he placed the ice-wrapped towel on my forehead and whispered, "Close your eyes and rest." I closed my eyes as instructed, but soon a soft click broke the silence. The faint smell of burning alcohol filled the air.

A sudden warmth against my palm startled me, and I instinctively flinched.

"Relax," Ashton said softly. "I'm using alcohol to cool you down." I recognized the remedy. My father had used it onwhen I was a child, rubbing my hands and feet 16:11 32.09% < Chapter 130 with alcohol to help reduce fevers.

*) Gets > = Menu

His hand rubbed against mine gently, warming them from the alcohol He finished my left hand and moved to the right. Just as I thought he was done, he reached for my foot. I pulled back instinctively. "No need."

Ashton paused, his eyebrows raising 'm slightly. His voice, though calm,, carried a teasing edge Weren't you the one bold enough to try and strip me? And now you won't even lettouch your foot?" I froze at his words, my entire body going stiff, He clearly remembered everything. My attempt to act drunk last night had failed miserably. Ashton's words confirmed that he knew I remembered everything too.

a deep, dreamless sleep.

When I woke up, the sky had already darkened. My head throbbed slightly, and I felt weak all over.

I thought I heard noises outside my apartment. Curious and still groggy, I got up and opened the door cautiously.

Standing there, as if he belonged, was Ashton.