No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 38

But there I was, lying on the stiff mattress, my mind a whirlwind of chaos and emptiness, not feeling like sleeping.

Eventually, I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my messages, spotting texts from Deborah and Ivan.

Deborah texted, [Felicia, today was a killer, but I got through the pile of work you left for me. You better have some candy for me as a reward tomorrow. Oh, and Felicia, congrats on tying the knot. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.]

I couldn't help but smirk at her message, leaving it unanswered.

Ivan sent this message. [Ms. Hudson, please don't get the wrong idea about Mr. Wagner. It would be a real shame if anything happened between you two.]

I didn't reply to him, either. Instead, I opened my social media, found a shadowy picture of myself at the amusement park, and posted it with the caption, “Happy Holidays!”

After that, I scrolled through my posts and deleted everything related to Conrad. It felt like something a celebrity going through a breakup would do. It was best to erase all traces of that love if we were no longer a couple and couldn't be lovers. It would only serve to sour the heart and turn the stomach.

Messing around with my phone took me up to 3 AM. My eyes stung, so I tossed the phone aside and closed them.

Just then, I heard footsteps outside. They passed my door and faded with the sound of a door closing. I knew Ernest was back.

Despite going to bed late, I woke up early, unable to sleep with all the noise outside. But my eyelids were incredibly heavy, refusing to open, so I stayed in bed even though I was awake.

"Ernest, could you come home early tonight? I was thinking of inviting our new tenant over for dinner," Ethel's voice made me smile even in my half-awake state.

Ethel was always so warm-hearted, even planning a dinner. It gave me a sense of coming home.

"I can't make it. Go on without me," Ernest replied, his voice as gruff as his demeanor.

"Ethel, I was born in this courtyard," I shared my parents' story with Ethel as I ate the potato.

Ethel nodded vigorously, visibly moved, "You're Felicia from Luke’s family? What are the odds? Why didn't you say so yesterday?"

I felt touched. "I was afraid you might have second thoughts about letting me stay, maybe even ask me to leave."

"What are you talking about, child? When I bought this house, I settled everything fair and square with your parents. I’ve got nothing to fear," Ethel looked at me. "You've got your mother's looks, beautiful."

My mother's face was becoming a blur. But she was indeed beautiful.

"Licia, you're here alone, aren't you? No boyfriend, I assume. How about I play matchmaker? You and Ernest could try it," Ethel's suggestion caught me off guard.