From the Obsession of My Cold-Hearted Ex

Chapter 280: After the Blaze

As the passenger seat emptied, Morty, who had just considered retreat as a tactic, couldn’t help feeling a deep sense of regret. He had chosen the wrong way to break Ellis and Easton apart.

Glancing at the girl standing outside the car, Morty also got out, his voice tinged with guilt. “I’m sorry! When I saw you at Casey’s house… I…”

Ellis, indifferent to whether Morty’s apology was sincere, cut him off sharply. “Not everything can be fixed by a light ‘sorry’ after you mess up, as if nothing happened.”

Frankly, Morty’s actions were terribly wrong. If she had actually cheated, that would be one thing. But she hadn’t, and the way Easton acted as if he had caught her in a fault was something she truly despised and hated from the bottom of her heart.

Morty accepted Ellis’s point, but agreeing didn’t mean he’d give up pursuing her; what he needed to do most urgently was to get her forgiveness. Why he did it, he certainly couldn’t tell the truth. He hesitated. “I’m sorry, at that time…”

“Enough, no need for explanations or apologies,” Ellis pursed her lips. “No matter how much you say, it’s just covering up your mistake. I’m not going to overlook this just because you talk a lot.”

If Morty hadn’t liked her, maybe she would have considered other factors and managed to maintain a superficial friendliness. But Morty had impacted her life, and she had no interest in pretending to be friendly.

Morty was at a loss for words, trapped in a sea of regret. He had calculated everything but failed to foresee her rejection due to his poor character. If he could turn back time, he definitely wouldn’t have taken those photos.

Standing on the sidewalk, Ellis stood still, praying she wouldn’t have to spend more money on another car. Suddenly, a shrill siren blared. It was the fire engine, approaching the blazing truck. Soon, the well-trained firefighters extinguished the flames. The dangerous area became safe again, and Ellis, worried about her car, slowly walked back.

Morty hadn’t left; he followed behind her. He didn’t mention anything about liking or not liking anymore; he just seemed genuinely concerned about her, checking her car before suggesting, “You should get your car checked to make sure it’s alright to drive.”

Ellis recalled how her legs had gone weak when she was near the burning truck; considering that Morty had essentially saved her, she didn’t snub him this time. She responded mildly, “Oh.”

“Should I get someone to take your car for a check-up?” Before she could answer, Morty was already on his phone.

The logic of birds of a feather flocking together didn’t always apply; even if Morty’s character was poor, it was still better than Easton’s. Ellis didn’t want to compare Morty and Easton, but when faced with difficulties, their reactions were different. Easton had never cared about her well-being, whereas Morty at least asked about her situation and took initiative to help her.

“The person will be here soon. Should I take you home first?” Morty finished his call and suggested. “You must be shaken up; you need some rest to calm down.”

She was indeed frightened, and this offer from Morty made Ellis ponder. Morty’s help was always calculated, not just a random act of kindness. Do I owe him a favor now?

After a moment’s thought, she decided not to worry about whether she owed him. What did it matter if I did? She wasn’t going to repay the favor, and Morty couldn’t force her to. Morty wasn’t as twisted as Easton.

“No, I’ll take a cab.” She declined Morty’s offer to take her home, opened her car door, grabbed her purse, and hailed a ride through her smartphone.

Morty didn’t insist she take his car; he just quietly waited… Shaking her head, she reassured herself that her word choice was fine—Morty had indeed accompanied her. He stayed until the ride arrived and watched her leave.

Being alone in tough times is harsh, but having company, even from someone she disliked, at least meant no further harm was done, and his efforts to assist her made him slightly more endearing. She couldn’t help but glance back at Morty’s gradually fading figure.

Ellis got home late and was somewhat distracted, prompting her roommate Maya to express concern. “What’s up? Wasn’t there a company party tonight? Did something upsetting happen at the party?”

“Nothing happened at the party.” Ellis lay on the couch, “It was something on the way home.”

“Girl, your luck…” Maya sympathetically said.

Ellis sat up and briefly explained the events to Maya, ending with a resigned sigh, “Is my year destined to be filled with all sorts of troubles?”

Ever since her twenty-fourth birthday, it had been one misfortune after another, non-stop.

“Some years are good, some are bad; yours just happens to be the unlucky kind,” Maya examined Ellis from head to toe, relieved to find no injuries, “Your birthday is next month; just hang in there.”