Chapter 253

Eliana accepted the ring in a daze.

“Why are you giving me this? I know that you…”

She paused. She knew how much Eli treasured the ring.

She was sure it would take an enormous effort to make him give up the ring. How could it be so easy?

She couldn’t believe it.

“I’m returning it to you. Will you keep your promise to make me another lucky ring? I want that ring

instead,” Eli asked humbly.

“Of course, but this ring won’t be made out of precious material. I can’t afford something too

extravagant…” Eliana did not hesitate to agree.

“That doesn’t matter to me. I don’t need an expensive ring,” Eli said. Relief slowly filled his heart that

shot upwards into his throat.

‘As long as it is made by you,’ he added silently.

“Okay. But why did you suddenly agree to return the ring?” asked Eliana.

Eli had even defied Maurice in order to keep this ring. How could he give it to her so easily?

“Why do you have to ask so many questions? Hurry up and take it before I change my mind.”

Eli’s ears turned red.

He would never admit that he was so moved by the dinner that he decided to return the ring.

Eliana’s phone rang with a call from Inger.

She said that she had arrived downstairs.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you downstairs.”

Eliana put the ring away and went downstairs with Eli.

Inger had been waiting for a while by the car outside. As soon as she saw Eli and Eliana, she waved to

them.

“You can go ahead. I’ll give you the ring when it is made.”

There were no reporters around. Eliana was about to go back inside.

Suddenly, Eli didn’t want to leave.

He didn’t want to be lonely again.

To everyone else, it looked like his life was perfect. He was handsome, rich, and popular with fans.

Only he knew the loneliness that filled his heart when he left the applause and attention behind and

returned to his empty house. What did it matter if many people loved him? In the end, he was still

alone.

When he had dinner with Eliana and her children, he felt warm and happy for the first time in what

seemed like forever.

Eli had never been so certain that he was in love with someone.

He didn’t know how long he had loved her. Maybe since she ladled soup into his bowl; maybe since

she designed the ring for him; maybe since she jumped into the swimming pool; maybe even before

that…

He only knew that he had a crush on Eliana.

“Eliana, wait!” Eli grasped her hand. “I don’t want to leave.”

“You mean you want to stay in my house?”

Eliana was totally confused.

“Why not?” Eli said seriously.

“Do you have a fever? Have you lost your mind?”

Eliana touched Eli’s forehead.

He didn’t feel feverish. So why was he talking nonsense?

Eli took a deep breath. His eyes shone with emotion.

“I’m serious. I think I have a crush on you, Eliana!”

Eliana’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe what she had heard.

“What did you say? Say it again.”

“I said, I have a crush on you, Eliana. I don’t mind you that you have two children. I…”

“Eli, what are you doing? Hurry up and get in the car!”

Seeing Eli holding Eliana’s hand filled Inger with alarm.

The interruption made Eli’s expression turn anxious.

“Eli, stop talking! I’m trying to understand.”

Eliana recovered a bit from her shock, but her mind was still in chaos.

Eli had a crush on her!

Why? Since when? How did he fall in love with her? Why hadn’t she noticed?

This was too outrageous.

Eliana couldn’t think of what words to say.

But one thing she knew for sure was that she didn’t have a thing for him.

It was impossible for her to reciprocate Eli’s love.

“Eli, I…”

“Don’t feel rushed to reply.”

Eli seemed to notice that something was wrong, and stopped her before she could respond.

He finally heeded Inger’s words and walked away.

Mixed feelings swirled inside Eliana as she watched Eli’s back.

How did it come to this point?