<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan had already exited the car and was standing outside while smiling softly. “We’re here, Ari.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I got out of the car and froze once I saw the ce we were in. It was obscure, but it had an incredible</font></font>Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">view.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logically speaking, a lone house like that should havee off as terrifying, but that wasn’t the case</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">now.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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 nts anyhow.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan lowered his head as he looked at me. “How would I know? I paid good money to have someone professionally deal with it.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“That’s not true. You know these things.” I fervently shook my head. “It had to be you who asked the gardener to nt them!”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Oh?” Logan casually responded, “And how would you know?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I couldn’t exin why, but I insisted, saying, “You must have asked the gardener to nt them! I know it!! just do!”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I was about to enter the gates when a very displeased young woman in a pink dress stopped me.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Why would you bring this crazy bitch home, Logan? That’s Ariana!” The young woman red and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at me.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I didn’t recognize her, but she seemed to know and loathed me.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan nced at her a</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">ndly hummed in acknowledgment before leading me past the gates.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Upon hearing that, Logan paused, and his brows creased into a frown. “Who taught you to treat our guests so rudely, Ruby Quare?</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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…”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I felt flustered and subtly took a few steps back.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan’s expression turned cold. ‘Apologize, Ruby!”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Ruby was shocked. “Are you asking me to apologize to her, Logan? Have I misheard you?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan repeated himself, “Apologize</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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-”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Apologize!” Logan said it for the third time more fiercely. His voice could send shivers down one’s back.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">I instinctively cowered.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Meanwhile, Ruby no longer dared to refute. She then fixed her gaze on me and snarled through gritted teeth, “I’m s–sorry.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After that, the rims of her eyes reddened, and she ran off</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">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.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Logan seemed unhappy as he said, “Where will you go? Back to Elijah?”</font></font>