DreameNovelChapter 146 I left hthat snight. Ashton wasn't around-his windows were pitch black.
When Miles called me, I was already on the train.
+5Bonus I had chosen to take the train instead of flying. While the ride would take two extra hours, I preferred the feeling of traveling on solid ground. There was something soothing about the rhythmic hum of the train and the scenery unfolding outside the window.
"Your car is ready, Elaine. Where are you? I'll send it over to you," Miles said, his voice calm and reassuring, as always.
I glanced around the train car. Most of the other passengers were glued to their phones, absorbed in their own little worlds. "Just leave it with the mechanic. I'll pick it up myself." There was a brief silence on the other end before Miles spoke again. "I know where it is." The Mercers always sent their cars to the smechanic, so I wasn't surprised he knew. "Mr. Drake said your car had been tampered with," Miles added, his words makingpause. Guilt prickled at me. After all, I was the one who had instructed the mechanics to sabotage it. "Really?" I asked, feigning surprise.
"Has someone else driven your car, Elaine?" he asked, his concern evident.
I bit my lip, trying to think of an answer. It wasn't just a question-it was Miles's way of looking out for me.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBefore I could respond, he continued, "Whoever did it didn't mean to harm you. It seems like they just wanted to cause strouble. Thank goodness the car stopped working only after you got home. It would've been a bigger problem if it broke down elsewhere." The way he framed it gavean easy out. "Got it," I replied simply.
Another pause followed before Miles spoke again, his tone softer this time. "Are you outside? I can hear background noise." "Yeah," I said, keeping my answer short.
He seemed to sense that I wasn't in the mood to talk. "Be careful," he said gently before hanging up. As the call ended, I sighed, leaning back in my seat.
Lately, I'd been hearing a lot of advice about "cutting out the unnecessary parts of life." One of the things often mentioned was trimming down social relationships that felt burdensome.
I finally understood what they meant.
Socializing felt exhausting. The more people cared about me, the more overwhelming it felt to keep up. Even so, I sent Nora a quick message to let her know I had gone out of town.
I didn't expect a reply-she was always busy saving lives. Yet, for sreason, her unavailability suddenly made sense to me.
She had explained it before: when she was working, she barely had tto glance at her phone, let alone maintain a relationship. No one wanted to date someone who couldn't be present in the # 17:15 +5Bonus = Menu < Chapter 146 relationship. If they did, they'd eventually grow tired of waiting.
Relationships required sacrifices and compromises. If things were doomed from the start, maybe it was better not to start at all.
I used to tease Nora about being a hermit, but now I saw her point.
I took the last train to Amaty, my destination being Palria, where Ashton's sister lived.
The decision to go was impulsive, but it felt like the most direct way to understand Ashton better.
I admitted to myself that I was developing feelings for him, but I had been hurt before. I wasn't going to let myself fall so easily again-not without understanding who I was falling for. If love was going to happen, I wanted to be in control this time.
When I arrived in Amaty, it was already nighttime.
I didn't go to the Suttons' courtyard-I was worried Mrs. Sutton would insist I stay if she saw me. Instead, I booked a hotel nearby and stayed there for the night.
The next morning, I set out early and arrived in Palria by 10:00 a.m.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFinding Ashton's house wasn't difficult. The moment I stepped onto the property, I froze, unable to take another step forward.
I regretted coming.
More specifically, I regretted coming too late.
The sight beforewas nothing short of breathtaking-a yard straight out of a dream.
There were trees and flowers scattered throughout, with a small vineyard in one corner and a swing hanging from an old oak tree.
Moss clung to the weathered brick walls of the house, giving it a rustic charm. Fairy lights adorned them cobblestone path leading to the front door. Little lanterns swayed gently from poles along the way, their soft glow adding a magical touch even in the daylight.
Nearby, a small river flowed lazily, a quaint wooden bridge spanning its width. On the bridge, someone was scrubbing clothes, their movements unhurried and peaceful. I stood there, unable to move, captivated by the beauty of it all.
If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed a place like this could exist.
Words couldn't do it justice. It was the kind of place that made you want to stop everything and just breathe, soaking in the tranquility. This wasn't just a house-it was a sanctuary.
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