A Love Forgotten

Logan had already exited the car and was standing outside while smiling softly. “We’re here, Ari.”

I got out of the car and froze once I saw the place we were in. It was obscure, but it had an incredible

view.

As I looked around, I realized that we were at a mountainside. The view ahead was an endless coastline, and the sunset’s brilliant glow reflected off the sea’s surface. Meanwhile, behind me was a lush forest, where an antique–looking house sat amid its trees.

Logically speaking, a lone house like that should have come off as terrifying, but that wasn’t the case

now.

The walls that fenced the house were covered in rampant vines of climbing roses. Many red, pink, and yellow roses bloomed amid the vines, and it felt as though I were gazing at a stunning sea of flowers.

I

Excitement bubbled within me as I circled the wall of roses. The names of each rose variety popped up in my mind, and I passionately listed them all out.

Logan tucked one hand in his pocket while leaning against the car, grinning at me. Then, the wind blew, ruffling the roses and leaves on the wall.

At that moment, a symphony of rustles filled the air, and a lovely floral fragrance enveloped me. I was so over the moon that I wanted to cry.

I’d dreamt of having a flowering vine–filled garden wall when I was younger. But unfortunately, my mother was allergic to flower pollen, and I had no time to tend to plants anyhow.

I’d never imagined that Logan would have such a dreamy garden wall. Excitement sparked through my veins as I ran to him and asked, “How did you grow such flowers, Logan?”

Logan lowered his head as he looked at me. “How would I know? I paid good money to have someone professionally deal with it.”

“That’s not true. You know these things.” I fervently shook my head. “It had to be you who asked the gardener to plant them!”

“Oh?” Logan casually responded, “And how would you know?”

I couldn’t explain why, but I insisted, saying, “You must have asked the gardener to plant them! I know it!! just do!”

Logan took in my child–like behavior and let out a helpless chuckle. “Let’s go inside. It’s windy out here.” His hand naturally hovered above my shoulders but didn’t touch me.

I was about to enter the gates when a very displeased young woman in a pink dress stopped me.

“Why would you bring this crazy bitch home, Logan? That’s Ariana!” The young woman glared and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at me.

I didn’t recognize her, but she seemed to know and loathed me.

Logan glanced at her a

blandly hummed in acknowledgment before leading me past the gates.

The young woman was furious that he had ignored her. She stomped her foot while shrieking. “Logan! Logan! Did you hear me? She’s Ariana! Aren’t you afraid of humiliating yourself by letting her stick around?”

Upon hearing that, Logan paused, and his brows creased into a frown. “Who taught you to treat our guests so rudely, Ruby Quare?

Ruby was caught off guard. Then, she begrudgingly retorted, “But Logan! How’s she a guest? She’s just a bad woman with a nasty reputation…”

I

I felt flustered and subtly took a few steps back.

Logan’s expression turned cold. ‘Apologize, Ruby!”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Ruby was shocked. “Are you asking me to apologize to her, Logan? Have I misheard you?”

Logan repeated himself, “Apologize

Only then did Ruby realize that her older cousin was serious. Her cheeks reddened in rage. “Logan, you’ve just returned to the country, so you’re unaware of how bad her reputation is. She-”

“Apologize!” Logan said it for the third time more fiercely. His voice could send shivers down one’s back.

I instinctively cowered.

Meanwhile, Ruby no longer dared to refute. She then fixed her gaze on me and snarled through gritted teeth, “I’m s–sorry.”

After that, the rims of her eyes reddened, and she ran off

I awkwardly stood in the same spot, my gaze shifting to Logan. “Logan, I think… it’s best if I go back.” Then, I quickly added, “I have some money in my ride–hailing app. I can get a ride home.”

Logan seemed unhappy as he said, “Where will you go? Back to Elijah?”