Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

With the meal finally over, the Stevens family walked Andrew and Aspen to the hotel entrance. Oscar followed timidly behind them, practically blending into the background.

Aspen waved them off, saying, "Mom, Dad, you should head back now. Tomorrow is the Grand Medical Summit. I'll come pick you up to watch the competition."

She felt a swell of satisfaction because the dinner had gone well. After all, Andrew's performance had been perfect the entire night. Though she prided herself on being independent, he had fed her ego by giving her a chance to shine in front of her parents.

However, Esther still appeared concerned. She waved Aspen over and said, "Aspen, come here. I want to have a word with you."

Aspen glanced at Andrew, who nodded slightly. Once received her approval, she stepped aside with Esther and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Esther hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Aspen, do you believe that Andrew will actually let you go when the time comes?"

Aspen fell silent, then finally gave a small nod. "Yes, he promised me. He said he'd give me my freedom."

Esther let out a long, relieved breath. "That's good to hear. From what I saw today, Andrew seems polite and thoughtful, not at all the kind of person I feared."

Aspen pouted a little, mumbling, "He's not a bad guy at all. In fact, he's been really nice to me."

Esther sighed deeply, her expression turning complicated. "Hearing you say that just makes me worry even more."

Aspen was surprised. "Huh? Why?"

Esther hesitated, looking her daughter in the eyes. "Aspen, have you... developed feelings for Andrew?"

Aspen froze, her face first turning a deep shade of red, then quickly paling. She stammered, her voice small and unsteady. "Mom, I-I haven't!"

"You're lying!" Esther shouted sternly, "Even at this point, you're still trying to fool me?"

She added, "I'm your mother-you can't hide it from me. Your father and I both saw the way you looked at him during dinner!"

Aspen's neck flushed pink as she lowered her head, unable to find the words to defend herself.noveldrama

Esther let out a long, weary sigh, her frustration clear. "What a mess... what a complete mess. Aspen, you and Andrew aren't meant to be together, you know that, right?

"Don't forget how you ended up with him in the first place you were forced into becoming his servant!! And now, you're telling me you've developed feelings for him? How did things get so twisted?"

She pointed a trembling finger at Aspen, her emotions a chaotic swirl of worry and disbelief.

Aspen suddenly lifted her head, biting her lip. "Mom, if... and I mean if... I really did fall in love with Andrew... would you, Dad, and the whole family support me?"

Esther shook her head, her face a mix of worry and disbelief. "Sweetheart, this isn't just about whether we support you or not. It's about the fact that Andrew has become someone far beyond our reach.

"I know you're proud and strong-willed, never one to bow to anyone, but you and him... just don't belong together. To put it bluntly, our family isn't in his league. We can't even hope to match him. No matter how you feel, your father and I will take you back to Bridgefields."

Aspen's face fell, her tone turning stubborn. "But what if I don't want to go back?"

Esther's brows furrowed, her voice

sharp. "What nonsense are you talking about? He's finally letting you go, and you're telling me you still want to stay with him? Are you out of your mind? And even if you've fatten for him, don't you see? To him, you're just a passing interest. He obviously has many other women."

That last sentence hit Aspen like a bucket of ice water dumped straight over her head.