A Love Trap

Ashley didn't give the coat back to Ellie in the end. After all, she had started trembling now due to the cold.

Although it was summer, the temperature here varied greatly in a day. Ashley, however, forgot about that when she left for L City in the afternoon. It was indeed cold for her especially since she only wore a light T-shirt.

After about 10 minutes, the bus that the girls had been waiting for finally arrived. Only a few people were waiting for the bus, so there were many empty seats to choose from. Ashley and Ellie picked the two seats by the window.

"Ellie, what happened? Normally you would have come back by now. What took you so long this time?" Ashley asked.

Ellie told her the truth. "Well, my grandpa fell and broke his ankle a few days ago. And you know about his heart disease. How could I leave him alone in the hospital? I needed to stay here to look after my grandpa. That's why I have stayed for a few more days than I usually did."

"But why didn't you answer my calls? Do you know how worried I was about you because you didn't return my calls?"

"Come on! Do you know how busy I am? I need to take care of my grandpa in the hospital and my grandma at home. I have little time to check my phone. Plus, I usually keep my phone at home. I was in the hospital when you called me.

But why did you rush here all of a sudden? What about our shop? Did you take care of everything?"

Ashley nodded and answered, "Of course I did." She already took care of everything when she left.

"Oh no!" Ashley shrieked all of a sudden.

Her cry made all the other passengers turn and look at them.

Ellie turned and was greeted with a distressed look on Ashley's face. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Ashley looked at her best friend for a few seconds, and then shook her head. She decided not to tell Ellie that she was married, because it didn't feel like it was the right time.

Ashley was perturbed.

She suddenly remembered that she had not told Andrew that she went to L City. She was worried that Andrew might be angry at her even though the ice hadn't broken yet after the fight between them.

care about her whereabouts. After all, they'd had a big fight

be it! He

still

hospital or head home now?" Ashley asked.

to see my grandpa. I'm still

to discuss something with you," Ellie said awkwardly.

Ashley asked. Sensing Ellie's hesitation, she urged, "Come on, Ellie! We are best friends. You can just

at their age. If I hadn't called them, I would have never known about his injury. There was a slip of tongue when I spoke to them on the phone; that's how I found out that my grandpa fell and broke

me that I should take my grandpa to J City. The hospitals in J City are better than the ones here. So I want to take both of them to J

world. It was her grandparents who had raised Ellie. And now, she wanted to take care of them well. Especially, now

to go to office now. Both of us have the time to look after them. Honestly, I miss

apartment, so Brown and Laura could live in her room when they arrived in J City. Ashley and Ellie could share

wondering how she would

burned inside

Meanwhile, in J City

wouldn't mean anything to Andrew. After all, they hadn't talked to each other

Ashley didn't know Andrew almost lost his mind when he

come home to find her watching TV or playing on her phone on the sofa. Or, she would

today, he didn't see her when he came home.

could not find Ashley in the kitchen, living

never

can't stand my selfishness anymore? Is it because she

Hurt, anger and resentment filled

filled his mind:

she come back with you?" Claire came out