Chapter 240: Unwelcome Encounters
Even if every man on earth disappeared, leaving only Morty as her option, she wouldn’t choose him. Why should I have to pick from the trash? Can’t I find a somewhat normal partner?
Yet, he had indeed stood up for her, so she responded with a noncommittal emoji, not really engaging.
Morty, undeterred by her lukewarm response, kept the conversation going. He seemed happy just to chat with her.
In that moment, she saw a reflection of her past self in Morty. Back when she was with Easton, she had behaved just like Morty, eager to engage no matter what Easton threw her way.
With a sigh reflecting on the past, Ellis closed the chat window, gathered up her untouched lunch, and tossed it in the trash—her throw as smooth and decisive as if she were discarding Morty and Easton themselves.
On the street, the traffic flowed endlessly, but a Rolls-Royce gradually slowed down. Easton suddenly instructed his driver to slow down. Ronnie, initially unsure of Easton’s thoughts, realized why when he spotted the ‘Serenity Estate’ sign they just passed.
Lately, whenever they drove past this area, Easton always asked to slow down, and it had become a routine expectation. Stealing a glance at Easton through the rearview mirror, Ronnie noticed his boss’s expression was unusually somber as he stared out the window. Not wanting to pry, Ronnie slowed the car even more, without needing a direct order, as long as the traffic laws allowed.
The streets were bustling with cars and pedestrians, but the familiar elegant figure he half-hoped to see wasn’t among them. As the car completely passed Serenity Estate, a sense of loss welled up in Easton. For the first time, he realized that some people, if not deliberately sought out, are incredibly hard to encounter again. He had passed this way nearly every day for the past few weeks, but not once had he seen Ellis.
His insomnia persisted: his mind stayed clear and rational, not affecting his work or judgment, but his body was weary. He longed for the quality sleep that seemed only possible next to Ellis. But such desires were futile, he knew. The reality was stark—Ellis would definitely not agree to share a bed with him again. She hated even seeing him, treating him as if he were invisible.
Failing to encounter Ellis once more, Easton could no longer contain the irritability and exhaustion brought on by his sleepless nights. He dialed his assistant’s number and commanded, “Check Ellis’s recent schedule; focus on when she usually leaves work to go home.”
“Yes, Mr. Hudson.”
Taylor, upon receiving the order, got right on it.
Easton scrolled through his phone’s calendar and the myriad of event invitations he had received, remembering he hadn’t attended an auction in a long time. Ellis used to go to these events now and then. Sometimes she went alone; other times she cajoled him into accompanying her. Perhaps it was her vanity, but she enjoyed making high bids at auctions, only to store most of the purchased items away, left to collect dust. However, there were things she cherished deeply, like jewelry made from rare gems.
His home still housed many of her personal items, and suddenly, he felt the urge to take her favorite piece and give it to her. Perhaps, if he appealed to the item’s high value, she might look at him and not treat him like air. He hated being ignored by her. Giving her gifts, if it meant earning a moment of her attention, seemed worth it.
Chapter 240: Unwelcome Encounters
Thinking this, Easton’s lips parted slightly. “Go to Elite Pavilion.”
At the command, Ronnie adjusted the route. No need for navigation; he knew the way to Elite Pavilion well. It was Ellis’s favorite mall, a place he had frequented many times with her, mostly carrying her shopping bags. He could find it with his eyes closed.
It was Wednesday, the day she usually went to Petal Estates after work. Ellis headed there right after clocking out, pondering if she would run into Morty and Maya tonight. Almost as soon as she completed the thought, she answered herself. Based on experience, the chance of encountering that man and his dog was a solid hundred percent!
And just as she expected, as soon as she entered Petal Estates, before even reaching Casey’s door, she spotted Maya’s snowy figure from afar, with Morty beside her holding the leash. Seeing Maya’s cheerful approach and Morty’s warm smile, Ellis felt an eerie sense of déjà vu, as if she were looking in a mirror seeing her past self. Some things, once unnoticed, can be overlooked, but once seen, they cannot be unseen. She should have suspected Morty’s feelings for her sooner! Since the day she first encountered Morty walking his dog, every visit to Petal Estates inevitably included a run-in with him.