Love's Tangled Web (Alex and Ellie) novel Chapter 322

hapter 322 

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It was late at night. Ellie stood on the balcony, gazing at the night view outside, not feeling sleepy. 

Ellie thought, ‘Alex doesn’t remember anything; his actions are thoughtless. I shouldn’t leave halfway through the evening like that–it is rude, especially since I’m the host. In the end, I even forgot to settle the bill before leaving! 

Ellie recalled that terrible fire in the cinema years ago, remembering when Alex held Haley and left before her. Ellie’s heart was in turmoil, and she couldn’t calm down. 

Ellie used to care too much. Even now, when she occasionally thought about those old wounds, it felt like a thorn in her throat. 

The red bracelet constantly reminded Ellie that everything that had happened was real. Even as time passed, what was etched in her very being couldn’t be easily erased. 

Five years ago, even when Alex went to jail and got hurt escaping for her, Ellie still couldn’t get past that mental barrier and forgive him. 

Now, a simple bracelet easily swayed her emotions but also brought her clarity again. Lately, Ellie had indeed become a bit too close to Alex. 

After tossing and turning all night, Ellie didn’t rest well. The next morning, she perked up and went to work on time. 

“Mr. Warren, your corneal transplant surgery is scheduled before the end of the year. Dr. Grant has brought a top expert from Ameria to perform the surgery at our hospital. During this time, you must maintain a light diet and routine to get ready for the pre–surgery exam. 

“We’ve balanced your budget, and including the surgery and recovery time, you’ll be able to recover and go home for Christmas.” Ellie eagerly shared the good news with Orion in his hospital roo 

room. 

“That’s great! Orion is finally going to regain his sight. Don’t be nervous, Orion. The corneal transplant is a very well–established procedure now. Everything’s going to be fine.” Linda excitedly shook Orion’s arm. 

Orion patted Linda’s hand and chuckled lightly, “I’m not nervous.” 

Linda gave an awkward smile and let go of Orion’s arm. 

“Orion.” upon hearing Alex’s voice, Ellie turned around and saw Alex coming in with two insulated lunch containers. Their eyes met for a moment, and then they both looked away. 

Ellie moved aside. Alex walked past her straight to Orion. “Orion, Mom made some soup for you and asked me to bring it over,” Alex said, handing one of the containers to Linda. 

Glancing at Ellie, Alex offered the other container to her, “This one’s for you.” 

“Thanks.” Ellie reached for the container Alex held, but he placed it on the coffee table, leaving her hands awkwardly in mid–air. Ellie quickly pulled her hands back, feeling a bit embarrassed. 

“My mom asked me to bring this over to you.” Alex bent down to adjust the thin blanket on Orion’s legs without looking at Ellie. 

Thank you, Mr. Warren, and thank Mrs. Warren for the breakfast,” Ellie said. 

“You guys chat. I’m off to get some work done,” Ellie said, picking up the thermos from the coffee table and leaving the hospital room. Once Ellic was gone, Alex slowly straightened up. 

Ellie left Orion’s hospital room and returned to her office, where she ran into Lacey, who was there to see Mark. They paused to chat for a bit by the elevator. 

“Come on, let’s go. It’s tough to get tickets for superstar Sebastian’s concert. I’m all set. You, me, and Diana–we haven’t hung out in ages, Lacey urged Ellie to join her at the concert. 

“Alright, I’ll try,” Ellie agreed cheerfully. It had been a while since the three of them had gone out together. 

“Mr. Warren,” Lacey greeted Alex as she saw him approaching. 

Alex paused, his gaze briefly landing on Ellie. Nodding halfheartedly, he stuck his hands into his suit pants pockets and waited for the elevator. 

Lacey looked back and forth between Ellie and Alex. She was dumbfounded and thought, ‘Alex isn’t acting arrogant around Ellie as usual? That is unheard of. Lacey stared at them in disbelief. 

“Lacey, Dr. Grant is in his office, you should go,” Ellie reminded her, and Lacey took the hint and left. 

“Mr. Warren.” Ellie approached him. Seeing that Alex hadn’t moved, Ellie decided to apologize. “It was my fault for leaving during your dinner last night, I’m sorry,” she said, feeling it was necessary to apologize to Alex. 

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3:20 PM 

Chapter 322 

Yesterday, it was rude of Ellie to leave the dinner with Alex. Plus, since Alex didn’t remember anything, it was unintentional. There was no need to make a big deal out of it. 

They stood face to face by the elevator. Ellie sincerely apologized while Alex looked down at her. 

After a while, Alex suddenly said, “No need to apologize, Ellie. I wasn’t interested in dinner last night anyway.” 

Ellie was momentarily stunned. 

The bracelet I gave you yesterday, Ellie, was just a freebie from a store promotion. I didn’t need it, so I gave it to you,” Alex said. 

“A freebie?” Ellie couldn’t help but frown. 

“Yes, a freebie, so there’s no need to overthink it,” Alex said as he stepped into the elevator. 

Ellie stood outside the elevator, her mind filled with overlapping voices, both current and past. 

“It was a promotional freebie. I didn’t need it, so I gave it to you. It was free. Ellie, there’s no need to overthink it.” 

“Even if the bracelet was a freebie, with your salary, you couldn’t afford it anyway.” 

“Haley decided she didn’t want it, and you think I would just give it to you?” 

Holding back the tears in her eyes with all her might, Ellie’s hands, hanging at her sides, clenched on their own. She thought, ‘Stupid jerk. Thanks for the reminder.‘ 

As the elevator doors slowly closed, she watched Alex inside and gradually calmed down. 

Standing in the elevator, Alex saw the tears well up in Ellie’s eyes, feeling an unexpected tightness in his chest. He couldn’t help but step forward, but the elevator doors were already shut. 

A few minutes later, Alex came up the stairs, but Ellie had already left. Sweat covered his forehead, and he breathed heavily as he stood there, panting. His gaze fell on the lunchbox on the windowsill, eyes slowly narrowed and then narrowed even more. 

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