Chapter 971
Chapter 971:
This man—he was refreshing, easygoing, without the slickness many others seemed to wear like a second skin. He exuded a natural charm that made her feel at ease.
If the man her mother had set her up with that day had been someone like him… well, that wouldn’t be so hard to accept, would it?
But what were the odds of that?
Shaking her head, Ellen turned and continued on her way.
Johan, momentarily lost in thought, glanced back at the direction Ellen had come from.
Why hadn’t that “Ellen” come out for her morning jog today?
Ellen rushed back to school, but Johan’s image kept appearing in her thoughts, lingering in her mind like an unfinished story. She wondered if she might have another chance to meet him again and get to know him better.
During her afternoon classes, Ellen’s attention wandered elsewhere. Her mind drifted, and the teacher called on her several times, pulling her back to the present. When the final bell rang, she hurriedly packed her bag and sought refuge in the library, hoping to bury her distractions under textbooks and lectures.
Meanwhile, Johan, having helped the elderly woman, lingered, waiting for “Ellen” to appear, but she never did. A sense of resignation washed over him, but he then realized there would likely be another opportunity. With reluctance, he left the spot, yet as he walked, his thoughts kept circling back to that girl. He couldn’t quite untangle the feelings—something about it felt foreign, almost incomprehensible.
During a break at work, Johan scrolled through his phone, browsing through photos from earlier. He paused. He had inadvertently snapped a photo of “Ellen” running along the road.
The image showed her bathed in sunlight, running with determination, every step radiating purpose and power. An unfamiliar sensation rose within him—this was the first time he had truly admired someone, not just as a pretty face, but as a person.
Back in the library, Ellen flipped through her textbooks, determined to focus. She told herself to push aside all distractions, to concentrate on her studies. But every time she paused, Johan’s face would reappear in her thoughts, and she sighed softly. She wondered if this was simply one of the inevitable twists that came with youth, a passing fancy that time would eventually wash away.
Today, Yelena had skipped her usual morning run. After yesterday’s exhausting work and the need to treat Aitana, she felt the need for rest. Exercise would have to wait. Today marked Aitana’s first treatment.
Your next favorite is on gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s．𝒸o𝗺
Because of her age, Yelena couldn’t rush through the process as quickly as she had with Austin. A faster method could overwhelm Aitana’s body.
Thus, Yelena employed a gentler approach. Still, after just one session, Aitana looked drained, her heart rate alarmingly high. The situation didn’t look promising, and Yelena knew she would have to revise her treatment plan.
Noticing Yelena’s worried expression, Aitana spoke softly, her voice tinged with concern. “Yelena, you’ve done all you can. I know that. I’m old, just a frail woman. I’ve lived long enough. It’s enough. Don’t overexert yourself. Let things unfold as they will p>
Yelena met Aitana’s gaze, seeing the kind, yet weary eyes that held decades of life experience. A deep sorrow gripped Yelena’s heart. She knew Aitana’s condition was grim, but she wasn’t ready to give up.
Taking a steadying breath, she spoke with as much calm as she could muster. “Aitana, don’t say that. As long as there’s even the faintest glimmer of hope, I won’t stop. Your body may be frail, but with the right care, recovery is still possible. I’ll adjust the plan to ease your suffering p>
A faint smile touched Aitana’s lips, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. “Yelena, you’re such a kind soul. I know you’re doing this out of care for me, but don’t wear yourself out for an old woman like me p>