More Than A Favor

Chapter 49 I looked up in surprise, Miles stood at the doorway, his figure framed by the afternoon sunlight. He was dressed casually, pulling a suitcase behind him.

His gaze was fixed on me, his eyes sparkling with a bright, playful light, as if scattering warmth into the room.

Miles had returned. I was completely caught off guard, just as I had been when he unexpectedly remembered my dad's old phone number.

Tessa and Ethan were equally stunned. They stared at Miles for a long time, neither of them saying a word. Miles had been away for four years, and during that time, he hadn't cback even once. His sudden return was not only a surprise but also a delight for them.

“What's the matter? Are you not happy to see me?” Miles asked with a warm smile as he walked over.

Miles's personality had always been warm and comforting. He truly embodied the role of an older brother. During the years I spent at the Mercer estate before he left, he was the one who madefeel the most at home. However, Miles was the type to express his care through quiet actions rather than words. It was a sharp contrast to Logan, whose kindness was always obvious and on full display.

"Miles," I said softly, calling out to him.

At that moment, Tessa and Ethan seemed to cback to their senses. Tessa let go of my hand and walked over to Miles, lightly hitting him twice. "So you do remember you have parents and need to cback," she said.

Ethan chimed in with a playful scolding. "Why didn't you give us a heads-up?" Miles glanced atbriefly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I wanted to surprise you." Tears welled up in Tessa's eyes as Miles reached out to hug her. "Mom," he said softly.

That one word seemed to break Tessa's composure. She hit him a couple more times before pulling him into a tight hug. Her voice trembled as she muttered, "You've been gone so long. Your father and I thought we had wronged you somehow... We thought you were holding a grudge." "What are you talking about, Mom? I've just been too busy abroad," Miles reassured her. Yet, even as he spoke, his eyes were locked on me.

His gaze was direct and unwavering, and my heart skipped a beat. Could it be... that he cback because of me? Miles's return brought an abrupt end to the discussion aboutand Logan. However, since everything. had already been said, Ethan seemed to have accepted my decision. Tessa was still struggling with it, but with Miles and Ethan's combined persuasion, I knew she'd caround eventually.

Miles mentioned he hadn't eaten yet and wanted to taste his parents' cooking again. Tessa and Ethan immediately set off for the kitchen, eager to prepare a meal for him. They invitedto stay and eat with them as well.

Miles and I were left alone in the living room. The silence between us felt a little awkward, especially since we had already said so much over the phone.

Miles was the first to break the silence. "I thought you wouldn't chere anymore," he said "What are you talking about? This is my home. I can chere whenever I want," I replied. But then, remembered why I was here-I still had to pack my belongings.

Glancing toward the kitchen, where Tessa and Ethan were busy cooking, I realized this was the perfect tto pack my things and load them into my car. That way, when I left, Tessa and Ethan wouldn't see my luggage. It would save them from feeling sad or trying to stop me.

"I'll help you take your luggage upstairs," Miles offered, standing up to grab his suitcase.

"It's fine," he said, declining my help while reaching for the suitcase at the stime. Our hands brushed together, and I quickly pulled mine back, an electric tingle shooting through my nerves.

Miles's fingers twitched slightly, but his voice was steady. "I've never let you carry luggage before, and I'm not about to start now." Indeed, when we had been together in the past, he wouldn't even letcarry so much as a piece of paper.

Other than falling in love with Logan, there wasn't a single person or thing at the Mercer estate that had ever madefeel wronged.

"You're always so good to me..." I said softly, smiling at him with the sinnocence as I had years ago.

"I thought you might have forgotten," he replied, his tone quiet and a little wistful.

I didn't know how to respond, so instead, I reached out again. "Letcarry your bag this time." This time, he didn't refuse. I took his bag, and we walked upstairs together..

His room was next to mine and Logan'. But his was the innermost one, mine was in the middle, and Logan' room was on the outer side.

Because of the recent renovation, Logan' room was still open and unfinished, with clear signs of ongo ing work. Miles paused, his gaze lingering onsuspiciously.

I forced a tart smile. "Jane fixed it." I handed him his bag and said, "Go tidy up and rest. I need to pack sthings." He nodded in response, and I returned to my room.

The room still held traces of both Logan and me. It was clear no one had stayed there since I left.

It didn't seem like Logan had been back either. Where had he been staying these past few days? Was he at Dazzle Residences, Selene's neighborhood? The thought sent a dull ache through my chest. It seemed I had managed to uproot Logan from my heart, but the gaping hole he left behind would take tto heal, I shook the thought away and focused on packing instead.

I had grown used to not keeping too many material possessions, so I didn't have much to pack-just enough to fit into a single find case I was newly done when normone knocked on the door Opening it. 1 found Miles standing there He had changed into fresh clothes. His eyes swept pastto the room, frowning as he noticed the unzipped suitcase on the bed "Are you moving out of the Mercer estate?" "Yeah, it would be awkward to overstay my welcome," I said casually, turning back to finish packing Miles stepped into the mom and glanced at the open wardrobe Logan clothes were still neatly hanging there is fists clenched at the sight

"You've been with Logan for so long.

Miles said slowly. "Can you really this? like this? Could I hear bear to leave to? Why did everyone keep askingthe squestion? I paused, then replied, "Miles, you should know how good I am at letting go." Miles didn't respond. He simply watched as I zipped up the suitcase. Just as I reached out to take it off the bed, his hand pressed firmly on it, holding it in place.

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze.

His eyes were clear, completely different from the cold detachment in Logan' gaze or the dark shadows in Ashton's Miles's eyes gleamed like a serene, unspoiled lake. They were so pure that they madefeel strangely calm. "Elaine," he said softly, "you once toldthis was your home." His voice carried an invisible weight that settled on my shoulders, making it difficult to breathe.

I knew he wantedto stay.

"Do you really think it's okay forto keep staying here?" I asked, pointing at the pillows still pushed together on the bed. Do you really wantto keep sleeping in the sbed as Logan after we've broken up?" Something flickered in Miles's gaze, but it was gone so quickly I couldn't decipher it.

He slowly withdrew his hand, his voice still low. "Are you planning to cback in the future?" "Of course," I said with a smile.

But deep down, I knew the truth. Even if I did cback, it would only be on rare occasions. In fact, 1 might never return at all.

I didn't know who had cup with the idea of staying friends with an ex after a breakup, but I thought it was foolish-and it wasn't something I believed in.

"Will you still seethe sway?" Miles asked, his voice tinged with sadness.

A bitter ache spread through my chest, but I forced a smile. “Of course. You'll always be the sMiles to me.” "Then..." he began, his voice trailing off. His gaze deepened, clear yet layered with a darkness that remindedof the depths of a lake.

"Can I hug you?"