Chapter 278: A Clear Rejection

Sitting in Morty’s car, Ellis regained her composure. “Hold on, what’s your deal? Following me in your car, what were you thinking?”

Morty started the car and glanced at her, saying honestly, “I wasn’t following you. This road is also on my way home.”

Ellis wanted to doubt Morty’s intentions, but his explanation left her feeling a bit embarrassed. Indeed, the road wasn’t hers alone; if she could drive on it, so could Morty.

She pursed her lips, hiding her awkwardness and avoided looking at Morty. As the car moved and she saw her own car getting smaller, Ellis couldn’t help but say, “Dude, my car!” It was a new car, and she hadn’t had it for long!

“Which is more important, the car or the person?” Morty asked.

“Definitely the person,” Ellis admitted, unable to hide a hint of sadness. It’s hard not to feel down about losing a car that cost her a few tens of thousands of dollars. But she had just been in a dangerous situation, and Morty had called her out in time. Should I be thanking him?

“Your car might not end up being involved in the accident. Let’s get to a safe distance first,” Morty suggested as he drove and kept an eye on the burning truck through the rearview mirror.

Hearing Morty mention distance, Ellis remembered what she had said to him in the elevator. She felt so embarrassed her scalp tingled, and she leaned awkwardly, wishing she could turn into a bird and fly out of the car. She had rejected him; how could he still seem so calm and collected about being with her?

“I wonder if the truck driver is okay?” she blurted out, thinking whether to call the fire department and hospital to send someone to the scene.

“Should I use my phone to call the police and an ambulance?” Morty offered.

“Wait!” Ellis suddenly realized something: she had only thought of getting out of the car and forgot her bag. I left my purse in my car.

“We’ll turn back for it soon,” Morty said as he pulled over.

Without her phone and her heart still racing, Ellis didn’t make the call herself but watched as Morty did. After he finished, he suddenly looked up at her directly. It was awkward, extremely awkward. Am I the only one feeling this awkwardness? Ellis pushed down her discomfort and raised an eyebrow nonchalantly.

“Now that we’re safe, I want to ask…” Morty said frankly, “Aside from not wanting to date, why do you reject me?”

He didn’t hide his liking for Ellis, and unlike her, he wasn’t awkward about it. With him being so forthright, Ellis’s awkwardness lessened. “What have you done, and you think I don’t know? Besides, even if I really wanted to date, I wouldn’t desperately go after my ex-husband’s close friend.”

Morty obviously knew this. His previous tactics to get her attention were now backfiring, and he looked slightly embarrassed as he averted his eyes. ‘I am Laston’s childhood friend, but we aren’t close anymore.”

“Just because you’re not close doesn’t mean you aren’t childhood friends or that your social circles don’t overlap.” Ellis responded. Having gone through a failed marriage, she wasn’t just concerned with whether she loved someone.

“You’re concerned that-“

3:30 PM

“And not liking someone means just that; nothing you do can change my mind.”

Although Easton used to say she didn’t recognize what was good for her, Ellis wasn’t clueless. She was grateful for the few times Morty had helped her, but gratitude and affection were different things. I couldn’t date someone just because I am grateful, could I! Whether Morty was serious or just playing around was still unclear.

Ellis’s rejection now was much firmer than in the elevator, and Morty didn’t seem heartbroken. Some things couldn’t be rushed and needed time to settle.

He looked at her directly again. “I’m sorry.” His apology caught Ellis off guard. “I’m sorry my feelings have troubled you.” Before she could react, Morty apologized again, his sincerity unmistakable. She felt even more bewildered.

Perhaps because she never got such feelings reciprocated by Easton, Morty’s unrequited love made her pity herself, stirring complex emotions.

“I know you don’t like me, but…” Morty looked out the window. His sentence hung in the air, leaving Ellis puzzled and somewhat frustrated. Clearly, someone who made her reflect on her past humiliations wasn’t right for her.

Hearing Morty confess his feelings only reminded her of how low she had once felt, almost begging Easton for a bit of affection. She cleared her throat and said firmly, “I’m not worth your affection. Don’t waste your time on me. You should look around at other girls; you’ll find the right one eventually.”

Send Gifts

I’m the Obsession of My Cold-Hearted Ex