A Love Trap

Ellie pursed her lips and replied, "She isn't doing well."

"What's going on with Ashley? Did something happen to her?" Laura asked her granddaughter with a worried look. An anxious expression settled on her wrinkled face.

"It is yours and Grandpa's fault. She misses you dearly, but you and Grandpa refused to come to J City and move in with us. Of course she isn't doing well," Ellie replied.

Laura was relieved. She poked Ellie's forehead and said, "You naughty kid."

"Grandma, please come to J City with me. That way, I and Ashley can take care of you and Grandpa," Ellie proposed sweetly, as she took a seat next to her grandma and leaned her head on her shoulder.

"You need to go to work. If we live there, we would disturb your daily life. Besides, your grandpa and I have lived here for most of our lives. We're not young and we might die any time. All we want is to spend the rest of our lives here," Laura responded with a sigh.

She knew why Ellie had invited her and her husband to move in with her, but she was old and she didn't want to be her granddaughter's burden. Besides, she knew her own health. Knowing that she might only have a couple of years left, she refused Ellie's invitation for she didn't want to cause her any trouble.

"Please don't say that, Grandma. You and Grandpa will live to be a hundred. Promise me that you will never say that again," Ellie replied in earnest, as she turned her head upwards to look at her grandma.

Laura was amused by her expression. With a cordial smile, she replied indulgently, "Fine, my little Ellie. I promise that I will never say that again. All right?"

Ellie nodded her head approvingly.

"Ellie, when you went to the hospital, you left your phone at home. It vibrated many times. Someone must have some urgent work with you," Laura added, as she grabbed Ellie's cell phone from the table and gave it to her.

"I see," Ellie replied.

swiped the screen to unlock the phone and found that she had missed dozens

Perhaps she has something to tell me," Ellie explained before calling

Ashley's number than

City, Ellie? Why didn't you answer the phone? Did you get into any trouble there?" Ashley's voice, full of anxiety, resounded from the other end of the line.

connection was poor in the house, Ellie couldn't hear Ashley clearly. She told Laura that she

voice. Ellie could hear the sounds

and I said that I would come back after I've handled things here," Ellie said with a stunned expression, as she

think the former could find her way to

where you are. I'm on my way," Ellie commanded before disconnecting

L City but she doesn't know how to get here. I'm going to pick her up. Grandpa is asleep in the hospital. Please go to bed early," Ellie said to

here? I'm going with you," Laura offered immediately. She couldn't conceal her delight that Ashley was coming to her house. She stood up from her seat

was left speechless.

roads are bad. Please stay home and go to sleep. You can see

Laura nodded in agreement, Ellie wasted no time in heading

en route. She filled her best friend in on

asked

called you back immediately. How would I know you are here already?" Ellie spoke into the microphone of her hands-free earphones, as she was on the bus, still unable to

whispered. She realized that she

Ashley sneezed. She had caught a chill while waiting at the station. Shivering due to the cold, she

colder here than J

have brought you here several times, how do you still not know that? You didn't wear a