Chapter 88
At the corner of the hospital corridor, Alex and Ellie stared at each other.
What’s wrong with you?” Alex looked at Ellie as she clenched her hands tightly, struggling to hold back the tears that were now overflowing Frustrated, he reached out to grab her hand, but just as he touched her fingers, his phone suddenly rangin his pocket.
Ellie withdrew her hand and stepped back. Alex, clearly annoyed, answered the phone. “Baby, stay there and wait for me. be over soon to pick you up,” he said.
Ellie watched as Alex’s expression became gentle, his lips curving into a smile while he softly called Haley “baby” Feeling humiliated, she rushed into the elevator.
“Ellie.” Alex was on the phone when he saw Ellie running into the elevator, tears streaming down her face. He quickly hung
down. up and rushed to the elevator door, but it was already going
That night in a luxury suite at the Earl Hotel, Layton noticed Alex had been losing at cards all night but still continued. He switched seats to sit next to Alex and said, “Alex, something’s going on with you today. Why do you keep losing?”
With a cigarette hanging from his lips, Alex gave Layton a sideways glance and said, “Afraid I can’t take losing
Layton snatched the cards from Alex’s hand, threw them on the table, and pointed to a nearby lounge area. “Go grab a drink,” he suggested.
“It’s the middle of the night. Why are you hanging out with us bachelors instead of going out with Haley? Don’t tell me she won’t let you stay over tonight?” Layton teased while handing Alex an empty glass.
Alex stared at the empty glass in his hand, remembering the unusual moment when Ellie cried while congratulating him. He tilted his head back and finished the glass of red wine. But the uneasy feeling in his heart wouldn’t go away, and he got up to open the window.
At the same time, in Ellie’s apartment, Aaron finally found a moment to visit, and Ellie was busy preparing several dish
“I’ve secured a paid exchange opportunity at the hospital, and I’m thinking of going abroad for a while. Ellie mustered the
to tell Aaron midway through their meal.
courage
Aaron looked at Ellie in surprise, and then his expression became serious as he asked, “Which city, and for how long?”
Ellie replied, “I’m going to Ameria for a year, but there will be breaks.”
After a brief hesitation, Aaron decided to support her. “Don’t worry about Mom and Dad. I’ve got everything handled here. This is a wonderful opportunity
Ellie lowered her head to hide her expression. Two months ago, the department head had approached her, saying they had a spot secured for her, but she had turned it down.
Aaron was in a crucial phase in his career at the time, busy with work and not making much money. She only wanted to settle down, work part–time, and take on family responsibilities so Aaron wouldn’t be distracted.
But now, Ellie couldn’t bear staying even one more day. Just thinking about the scene where Alex successfully proposed and kissed Haley lovingly on the forehead made her heart ache.
She couldn’t stand hearing Alex enthusiastically talk about how excited and happy he was in front of her. It hurt her, and she
Chapter SS
felt like she was going to lose control and burst into tears.
Ellie didn’t want to feel this way, but she couldn’t control her feelings. Things that couldn’t be fully expressed require time to heal. She wanted to leave for a while to see the world outside and let herself move on quickly.
Aaron asked, “When are you leaving?
Ellie replied, “Td like to go back home tomorrow to see Mom and Dad, then I’ll leave the day after that.”
E
