Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 322

Chapter 322 The Room

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Of all the rooms in Hale Manor, the memorial room was the best kept. A long wall displayed engraved plaques bearing the names of the Hale family, each one carefully polished so the letters caught the lamplight.

Elowen stood before them, trying to steady her breathing as a dull ache settled deep in her chest.

Cassian positioned his wheelchair beside her, then slowly pushed himself to his feet and reached for her hand. The warmth of his palm grounded her immediately.

He met her eyes, his voice quiet but firm.

“Let’s stand here for a moment.”

Without speaking, Elowen remained beside him.

Facing the memorial wall, Cassian spoke clearly and solemnly.

“To my father- and mother-in-law, to my brother-in-law, and to the elders of the Hale family. I give you my word today. As long as I live, I will protect Ella and never allow harm to come to her.”

When he finished, the room fell into silence.

Elowen watched him, her thoughts drifting despite herself.

She remembered her brother Julian teasing her after meeting Cassian for the first time.

“I’d heard all the stories about the duke. Tall, handsome, all that. I figured there was no way he could be better-looking than me. Turns out I was only a little wrong, Ella. I’m not the most handsome man in Vanelle anymore.”

He had pretended to be wounded for a moment before stroking his jaw and laughing.

“Still, with a title like his, who could possibly accept the Duke as a son-in-law? Imagine having a man like that showing up at your house.”

Then he winked.

“Ella, just imagine if his wife had an older brother. One visit from the Duke and your luck for the whole year would be gone.”

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12:17 Mon, Apr 20

Chapter 322 The Room

She could almost hear his voice now, full of mock outrage.

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I never thought it’d actually be you. Ella, you really better appreciate this. Good thing I died early, because the shock alone might’ve taken ten years off my life.

Strangely, the thought didn’t break her. Instead, it made her smile. Her brother had always annoyed her, but now even remembering him felt comforting.

Cassian finished speaking and turned back to her.

“Ella and I will come visit again soon.”

His calm voice settled deep in her chest.

For the first time, Elowen realized she wasn’t truly alone anymore. She was no longer the last branch of a broken family. Someone stood beside her now.

Maybe that was why, even with all the sorrow, she could face this place with Cassian at her side. Maybe that was why the pain, little by little, was beginning to ease.

She let out a slow breath, a faint smile touching her lips.

“Should we go back?”

After a brief pause, she added softly, “Cassian.”

He froze, as if waking from a dream, then turned to her in disbelief.

“…Ella, did you just call me?”

Color rushed into her cheeks. She looked away at once, mumbling, “Well… yes.

Cassian.”

He squeezed her hand, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I like it when you call me that.”

Her cheeks burned, but she said nothing. Instead, she took hold of the wheelchair and pushed him toward the door.

Cassian’s mood lifted at once. Almost no one calls me Cassian anymore. There are so few people who would dare use it. But Elowen can. And now she wants to. She’s really letting me in.

Outside the room, Regan was waiting, with the dog beside him in an oddly dignified pose.

“What’s your dog’s name, Regan?” Elowen asked, her curiosity returning.

Regan looked at the dog, then back at Elowen, scratching his head sheepishly. “I… haven’t

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