03
Chor’s presence was so noticeable that even with my best efforts to ignore him, I always seemed to hear his name core into my ear.
Especially Oscar, every time he saw me, he would put me on the shoulder comfortingly and say, “Miss Ave, your boyfriend is great. He’s handsome kind–hearted. Just yesterday, he fixed the basketball rim for the kids. You have a good eye for men.”
I gave a tight–lipped and somewhat insincere smile.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to see Eliot set aside his pride and play around with the kids.
remember one New Year’s Eve, Elliot’s little nephew, with only little hands, went to hug his leg, and he immediately pushed him away with a cold expression. He pointed at Cindy’s face and ferociously said, “Stay away from me. If you dare to rub your dirty hands on me again. I kick you out.”
Yet now, he’s allowing these kids to leave traces on his expensive clothes without annoyance, but instead, he has a big smile.
Shifting my gaze away, I lightly laughed and said, “Mr. Oscar, he’s not my boyfriend.”
Oscar awkwardly touched his nose, waved his hand, and turned to leave.
On the day of the competition, one of the kids was missing.
When found him, Ellot was dusting Josh’s pants.
Josh saw me and turned up his head to call out, “Miss Ava.”
Eliot quickly looked up and laughed, “Ava, look how lovely these children are. It would be nice if we had a child too.”
Soon after these words, both of our faces stiffened.
Itted down my eyes, pulling Josh over to me.
1 have to take them to the competition now. Elliot, you’ve been here for a while, take a break and go home.”
He has been here for a month. Although he didn’t do anything out of line, I still feel uncomfortable,
Elliot’s voice turned low, tinted with bitterness.
“Ava, is there no chance for us?”
I shook my head. His eyes reddened instantly. With a sigh and a bitter smile, he said, “1 understand.”
1ll go to the competition with you guys this time,”
I was about to refuse, but Elliot quickly said, “Don’t worry, I won’t pester you anymore. I just want to accompany you for the last time. After the competition
I will leave and sign the divorce papers.”
Eliot and I took turns watching the children.
After they changed into their dance costumes, Oscar suggested taking a group
I stood in the corner, and Elliot carefully came to stand next to me.
Seeing that I didn’t refuse, he breathed a sigh of relief.
After taking the photo, Oscar printed it out and asked me to give one to Elliot
When I found Elliot, he was cheering up the nervous children
photo to comm
to commemorate the moment
I handed him the photo Treating it like a treasure, he carefully sid the picture into his pocket,
For a moment, we were both silent, focusing only on the children dancing on the stage
Carlderly a shell scream
cream rang out.
A gust of wind roped by my side
By the time I reacted, hot had already rushed to the stage, protecting the screaming Josh beneath him
As the beary pillar crashed onto his back
Everything onstage and offstage turned chaotic in an instant
I Iran towards the stage against the crowd, my mind numbed, pushing myself to move forward.
Oscar grabbed hold of me, hastily saying, “Miss Ava, don’t go there, something else may fall”
retorted fiercely through tear–filled eyes
Josh is there
Not just Josh, but also Elliot
Oscar hesitated briefly, 17 go. I’ll go to save Josh, and also bring Elliot down.”
Ignoring his words. I attempted to approach the stage, only to be stopped by a crew member.
Staring at Ellot, who was coughing up blood, with the heavy pillar pressing onto him, he was still madly shielding Josh beneath him.
Upon sensing something, he turned towards me. His initially painful expression slowly formed a smile.
Elliot opened his mouth, only for another mouthful of blood to gush out.
With a pained frown, he stubbornly looked at me, as though his eyes hid a thousand unspoken words.
Above the stage, things were still falling, nobody dared to act rashly.
After an unknown period, the ambulances and police rushed in
Eliet was carried onto an ambulance, holding Josh, I wanted to follow but hesitated.
Oscar hurdly took Josh from me to comfort them, whispering: “Miss Ava, you should go and check on him, Mr. Elliot also needs you there.”
I shook my head
Oscar urged me again, “You should go quickly, I can watch over these kids. If something happens to Mr. Elliot, it would be hard for us to explain, wouldn’t
Ihailed a tax to the hospital after asking around, I found out that Elliot had been sent to the emergency room and his condition seemed quite serious.
I thought of the blood he had vomited earlier, his internal injuries must be severe.
My heart was heavy, the palms of my hands soaked with sweat
Finally, the emergency room door opened, and Elliot was wheeled out.
The anesthesia hadn’t worn off yet, and he was lying on the bed, his face pale
After the doctor gave me some instructions, I could hear relief in his voice.
Eliot’s injuries were severe, but fortunately, they were not life–threatening
When he woke up. I was reporting the situation to Oscar.
“Miss Ava, please take care of Mr. Eliot, the children are all okay.”
“Thankfully, we have Mr. Eliot, otherwise the consequences are unthinkable”
Yes, it was fortunate to have Elliot
Without him, considering the weight of that huge column, the child might not have survived.
My heart raced, and I clenched my cell phone tightly.
For a moment, regret and self–blame filled my
my entire
Im not dead yet, there’s no need for you to pretend and imagine.”
A husky voice echoed
I turned around and met Elliot’s smiling gaze.
He extended his hand towards me. I walked towards from |
The light in Elliot’s eyes dimmed with his smile.
“So, are you still unwilling to forgive me?”
“That’s a separate issue
When I spoke, my throat was so dry it hurt
afraid that Ellot would die in that accident.
but d
didn’t reach my hand
He gave a weak smile, his whole body enveloped by a layer of sadness.
“Ava, do you know what I was thinking the moment the beam fell on me?”
7 was thinking, it’s over, I won’t live to see the day Ava changes her mind.”
was going to leave this world with regret.”
I lowered my gaze, holding back the warmth at the corner of my eyes
Elliot added with a smile. “But when I saw you looking for me in such a desperate manner, I thought, it was
may have changed in Ava’s heart.”
, it was worth it. After this ordeal, at least m
my image
With teary eyes, I whispered: “A life for your lofty image, is it worth it?”
Worth f
He didn’t hesitate, his face filled with a sures
surety.
1 know, if something happens to that child, you won’t be at peace your whole life”
That’s why he rushed over without any hesitation, even though he knew he could die.
Tears welled up in my eyes. Elliot has always been like this going all out to accomplish what he wants, even if it costs him his life.
Sometimes, I’m really scared of this personality of his. Because such reckless tenacity may lead him to a point of no return.
He gently wiped the tear from the corner of my eye with a warm fingertip. Elliot spoke with a soft smile. “Ava, don’t cry, I can’t bear to see you cry.”
He seemed drained as if he had made a steadfast decision.
With tenderness and resolution.
“Once I recover, let’s get a divorce,” he said.
Inodded, and silently replied, “Okay.”
I asked for leave and took care of Ellot in the hospital.
Surprisingly we had no fights and didn’t talk about feelings anymore.
It was as if everything that had happened never did, and we were back to how we used to be
But illusions are, after all, just illusions.
On the day the doctors announced he could be discharged, the bubble also burst.
I went back with Ellot and we successfully pulled our divorce papers.
Coming out of the local register office, Elliot was like an eggplant beaten by frost, the smile on his face resembled crying
“Ava, can we still be friends?” he asked cautiously.
The love we once had, seemed like a lifetime ago.
I smiled and said, “We can”
Elliot laughed, so overwhelmed that he didn’t know what to say.
Suddenly, I said, “Elliot, I forgive you.”
I forgave his betrayal and with it the animosity
Elliot’s eyes reddened instantly.
My forgiveness meant letting go.
No traces of Elliot will remain in my heart any longer.
When my leave ended. Ellot accompanied me to the train station.
He originally intended to send me straight to school, but I refused.
The staged accident still cast a shadow in my heart, making me instinctively resist Elliot going to that school.
Understanding my decision, he didn’t say anything more.
He cared my luggage and saw me off on the train.
Yet, he lingered unwilling to leave.
was on the train, he was on the platform
A person nearby joked, she your boyfriend?”
I shook my head and lightly laughed, “No.”
I shook my head and lightly laughed, “No”
He’s just a friend.”
From now on Elliot and I, will only be friends. Friends who know each other but will not become close.
(End of the story)
Finished
End
