Chapter 23
“What are you doing here? Aaron asked, stepping onto the balcony with a serious expression
Seeing Aaron, Alex’s rebellious side surfaced. He deliberately pinched the lingerie, giving Aaron a defiant look. “Why can’t I be here?”
Aaron studied Alex’s expression. “You’re right, Alex. Ellie has been living with your family for over a decade, and you two have been close. I know you care about her, just like I do”
Aaron didn’t directly ask about Alex’s relationship with Ellie. He’d seen Alex hanging her underwear earlier, and as an adult, he understood what in meant. But he wasn’t convinced that Alex could truly make Elbe happy.
Alex tossed the apple core into the trash, a smirk on his face as he looked at Aaron. “Aaron, you’re wondering what’s going on between me and Ellie,
huh!
Aaron was all business, his body rigid. “I think we both care about Ellie and want her to be happy”
“You’re half right,” Alex said, his tone teasing. The way Leare for her and the way you do… it’s not the same.”
Aaron clenched his fas, struggling to keep his cool, and called Ales by his name angrily
Alex’s eyes were full of challenge. “It’s just adults having fun. Why so serious?”
He let out a mocking laugh, meeting Aaron’s angry gaze “You d family works, Ellie and I are just not on the same page.”
don’t need to be so worried. We’re in different leagues. No matter how hard your
“You jerk,” Aaron snapped, finally y losing it and throwing a punch.
“How dare you.” Alex retorted, fighting back without hesitation.
With Ellie out, the two men started brawling in her living room. After a few minutes, both had bruises on their faces.
Alex leaned back, one foot on the coffee table, looking triumpham. “Listen, Aaron. If you want me to back off from Ellie, you better break up with Haley
“What if I don’t!” Aaron challenged.
“Then just watch as I date your sister and make your girlfriend mine, Alex aid with a smirk.
“You touch Ellie, and you’re in for a world of trouble, Aaron warned, gripping Alex’s collar tightly his veins visible on his hand.
Alex grabbed Aaron’s shirt in return, his voice tense. “Go ahead try to stop me. What could you do?”
The front door swung open. Ellie stood at the threshold, surveying the disarray in the living room,
Alex and Aaron were entangled in a tense standoff. They broke apart at the same time, and as they did, they saw Ellie’s pale face and quivering lips, It was clear she had overheard their conversation.
Ellie tried to brush it off, but tears still streamed down her checks. She knew he could be a jerk, but she never imagined he’d go to such lengths. He actually used her to pressure her brother into giving up on Haley:
Alex glanced at Ellie nonchalantly, like he was in charge, as he changed his shoes by the door. His gaze lingered on her pale face, and he spoke with a hint of irritation. “Why are you crying? You seemed happy enough to cook for me last night.”
He shot a defiant look at Aaron before leaving, not giving Ellie a chance to respond.
Once Alex was gone, the room fell silent. After a while, Aaron broke the quiet, closing the door and guiding Ellie to the couch. He hesitated and then said, ‘Come on, sweetie. Tell me what’s really going on.
Ellie wiped her tears, shaking her head, “He’s just making things up. 1 know my · limits”
Aaron frowned, “I trust you, but I don’t trust him”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing I’ll change the password later, Flic assured him.
Aaron didn’t press the issue. Thelp you with that”
For weeks, Alex hadn’t stopped by Ellie’s place. Even on Saturday nights when Ellie worked at the bar, he didn’t show up.
She was relieved to have some peace, focusing on things beyond love. Right now, making enough money was her main goal.
1:20 PM c c
Chapter 23
“Dr. Thompson, all men
Il men are like that. Don’t worry about it,” one coworker said.
|| “Yeah, for us, marrying into wealth is like trying to reach the moon,” another chimed in.
As the day wrapped up, Ellie’s coworkers gathered around her, their looks a mix of sympathy and mockery.
Confused, Ellie pulled aside a close colleague. “What’s going on? I’m totally lost,” she asked.
Her colleague whispered something and left. Ellie opened the link she’d been sent. The headline of an entertainment magazine blared. [Warren Family Heir and Owens Heiress’s Romance Announced, Possible Engagement Soon. The photo of Alex holding hands with Haley hit her hard.
She usually avoided gossip, but Alex and Haley had been trending for days: [Warren Family Heir Buys Expensive Jewelry for His Lover.] [Warren Family Her and Heiress Parry on Yacht at Night|
Ellie left the hospital, feeling dazed. Standing by the roadside, she clutched her phone, debating whether to call Aaron.
Back at her apartment, she couldn’t sit still. Finally, she dialed Aaron. “Hey, Aaron, how are you” Ellae’s voice was shaky as she held the phone
Aaron’s voice was calm. I know you’re worried, but I’m okay”
Ellie’s eyes welled up with tears. “Aaron, they maybe she stammered, unsure of what she was trying to say, yet unable to hang up.
“Ellie, what are you trying to say?” Aaron asked gently. “It’s her decision, and 1 respect it”
After hanging up, Ellie felt unsettled. Love shows up in detail, and so does the lack of it. Haley’s evasive glances and her excuses about her parents were all awCES
Ellie knew Aaron’s silence wasn’t emotional there was just no point in saying more. If this was the end, then so be it
A few days later, Ellie arrived at the hospital and was quickly pulled into an elevator by a colleague. “Dr. Thompson, you’re finally here. The chief wants you in General Surgery right away, her coworkers,
Ellie was puzzled. “Why am I needed in Gearral Surgery?” she asked
Head to the ER. You’ll figure it out when you get there, her colleague replied, guiding her out of the elevator.
G
