Chapter 28
Aaron stopped Ellie as she reached down to pick up the ring again. His hand gently grasped her arm, pulling her back.
“Ellie,” he said softly, his voice heavy with emotion, “Let it go.”
Ellie hesitated, her fingers still trembling, inches away from the ring, but then she turned to Alex, their eyes locking. The hurt and frustration that had been building inside her exploded. “If I had a choice, I’d rather starve than live with you, with the Warren family,” she cried, her voice breaking, before she turned and walked away, pulling Aaron with her.
“Aaron!” Haley called out, her voice laced with desperation as she tried to follow them. But her family quickly held her back, and she stood there, unable to make a move.
Layton watched as the siblings entered the elevator, his eyes following them until the doors closed. When he turned back, Alex was still standing, staring at the elevator doors, his face hard and unreadable.
“Let’s go talk upstairs,” Layton said, his voice breaking the silence. He motioned for Alex to follow him, leading him away from the party and to a quieter place.
At the top of the Earl Hotel, Layton’s private suite offered a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city, the lights of Jaslands stretching far below. The air felt heavy with tension. Layton handed Alex a glass of red wine, his expression curious. “Alex, you’re really going after Haley, but why the beef with Aaron every time you cross paths?”
Alex sank into the plush sofa, staring out the window with a distant look. He took a sip of the wine, the bitter liquid doing little to ease the storm brewing inside him. “Just don’t like the guy.”
Layton raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. “That’s it? You just don’t like him?”
Alex didn’t answer immediately, his mind replaying Ellie’s parting words: “If I had a choice, I’d rather starve than live with you, with the Warren family.” He frowned, clearly irritated, and downed his drink in one go.
Layton noticed the shift in Alex’s mood, his friend’s discomfort impossible to ignore. “Come on, man. You’re not just stealing Aaron’s girlfriend; you’re stealing his sister too. What’s the deal?”
Alex finally met Layton’s eyes, his jaw tightening. “Ellie’s like family to me. We grew up together.”
Layton shook his head, leaning back in his chair. “True, but he’s her real brother. You’ve got to see that.”
Alex’s gaze hardened. “Aaron’s the one who doesn’t fit in.”
Layton shrugged, not backing down. “I’m not arguing. But Ellie’s going to move on eventually. You can’t control everything, you know?”
“Why not?” Alex snapped, frustration building in his chest. He kicked over a small stool in a fit of irritation.
“You’re being a bit obsessive, Alex,” Layton said, his tone even but firm. He pointed at Alex, shaking his head. “You need to figure this out yourself. I can’t spell it out for you.”
Alex walked over to the window, his hand gripping the cool glass as he stared blankly into the night. The city below seemed to pulse with life, but inside, Alex felt hollow, as though everything was slipping through his fingers. “What’s to figure out? If she wants to leave, let her. She’s just being ungrateful.”
Layton watched him for a moment before speaking again. “You need to get a grip, man. She’s not your property.”
Meanwhile, in the bustling heart of Jaslands’ night market, Ellie and Aaron stood side by side, watching the endless flow of traffic. The neon lights flickered overhead, but despite the city’s energy, they both felt out of place. No matter how much they tried to fit in, they couldn’t shake the feeling of being outsiders, disconnected from the world around them.
Ellie glanced up at Aaron, her voice soft and uncertain. “Maybe Haley just isn’t, well… am…”
She wanted to offer comfort, but the words felt empty. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something was off. When they had seen Haley earlier, her first reaction hadn’t been excitement or joy. It was anxiety, followed by a cold question: Why are you here?
Aaron had explained that they were just passing through, but Ellie had noticed the relief on Haley’s face as though she was happy to see them leave, not disappointed.
And then, when Alex had insulted Aaron, Haley hadn’t even stepped in. She hadn’t tried to defend him. She had just stood there, silent, as if she didn’t know him at all.
Ellie felt a pang in her chest. It was a painful realization. She glanced at Aaron, who was staring straight ahead, lost in his thoughts. Neither of them knew what to make of the situation, but they both knew things were never going to be the same again.
