Cedric's face lit up. "That's actually a great idea! Fran mentioned it to me before, but I didn't agree because I wasn't sure what your opinion would be."
Andrew smiled. "What opinion could I have? As long as you think it's good, I'm all for it!"
After chatting a bit longer, Andrew stood up to say goodbye. His trip to Jayrodale was nearly complete, as he had visited all the places he needed. He still carried memories of this small city, but memories were just memories, and life had to move forward.
At the entrance of Moonlit Apothecary, Andrew and Aspen ran into some familiar faces.
"It's you!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
It was Leroy, standing with Christina and Irene.
Andrew nodded with a smile. "It's me. Leroy, how's Mr. Stevens Senior's health these days?"
Leroy scratched his head. "He's doing pretty well. We came back to bring him with us to Blumedale so he can live with us."
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Going to Blumedale to live with you? Does that mean you've settled down there?"
Leroy gave an embarrassed laugh. "We've been troubling you all this time, Mr. Lloyd, staying at your place! But we won't anymore. Christie bought a house in Blumedale, it's big enough, so Grandpa and all of us will live there."
Andrew nodded and shifted his gaze to Christina, who remained silent beside them.
Sensing his eyes on her, Christina trembled like she was burned, and she quickly lowered her head.
She was a capable woman. From the collapse of the Stevens Corporation, when she was left with nothing, she had started over, working service jobs under Rachel's guidance.
For her to now afford a house in Blumedale meant she had fought her way through hardship.
Andrew withdrew his gaze and said flatly, "Let's go."
As Andrew and Aspen began walking away, Christina finally broke her silence. "Aspen, wait a moment!"
Her voice was aimed at Aspen, but her eyes kept straying toward Andrew.
Andrew only glanced at the sky, his face indifferent.
Aspen's expression was complicated as she looked at Christina coldly. "What do you want?"
Christina twisted her hands together and mumbled, "Aspen, I want to apologize for the foolish things I did in the past."
Aspen hesitated, then suddenly smiled. "Forget it. What's past is past. Honestly, if you hadn't done those things, I might never have ended up with Andrew. After all this time, I can't even bring myself to hate you or your family anymore."
Christina's eyes shimmered with sorrow. "If that's so, then let me congratulate you. You're luckier than I ever was!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rising from the Ashes (Andrew)
no update? :-(...
Why there is no update for last two days??...
Brilliant piece of work. I am enjoying the novel. The only problem is that it is taking longer to update more chapters....