From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 398

Elaine Carter coughed, cheeks flushing, and shot back, “Who says I’m avoiding you?”

“Whoever denies it is the one doing it,” Carlson Baker replied, matter-of-fact.

She glared at him, exasperated. “Fine, so what if I am avoiding you?”

It was his own fault for dropping that confession on her out of nowhere. Now she had no idea how to face him.

Elaine puffed out her cheeks, gathering her resolve, and wrapped a fresh bandage around the cut on his arm.

Carlson's lips pressed into a thin line. He lifted his gaze, fixing her with an earnest stare. “I meant every word I said before. You’ve already avoided me—now, can I get an answer?”

He softened his tone. “At least for the sake of this injury.”

Her head was lowered, and the two of them were so close, she could feel his warmth, his intense gaze. There was nowhere for her to hide.

Her hands paused for just a second, but she quickly resumed, pretending everything was normal as she finished the bandaging. With a sigh, she murmured, “I’m your little sister.”

“I’ve never seen you as Olivia.”

Elaine’s eyes widened, incredulous. “Not even when we were kids?”

“For a while, sure,” Carlson admitted, “But somewhere along the line, it changed. Elaine, I’ve put it all out there, and I’m not taking it back.”

He looked at her, every inch of him sincere. “I just want an answer—any answer. Even if it’s not the one I’m hoping for, I’ll accept it.”

Elaine looked away, lips pressed together, uncomfortable under the weight of his gaze. With a heavy sigh, she said quietly, “We’re not right for each other.”

“Why not?” Carlson protested immediately.

She turned back to him, searching his face for a moment. “I’m still young.”

“I’m not exactly old,” he countered. “Ethan’s four years older than Olivia. I’m only five years older than you.”

She hesitated, then shook her head. “That’s not the only reason.”

Carlson frowned. “What else, then?”

“For the next few years, I don’t even want to think about getting married.” Her voice was tangled with frustration. “But you—”

“I’m not in a rush either,” he broke in gently, before she could finish. “Marriage isn’t something you do just because you hit a certain age.”

He took her wrist in his hand, his voice low and steady. “Whenever you’re ready, that’s when we’ll do it. I won’t pressure you. If you want to focus on your career, I’ll be right there with you.”

Elaine froze, as if a stone had just dropped into her heart, sending ripples out in every direction.

After a pause, Carlson spoke again, his voice softer. “None of those things matter.”

He said her name, “Elaine,” drawing it out with such tenderness that it sent a shiver through her.

She answered with a quiet, “Yeah.”

He smiled, just a hint of it curling his lips. “All your reasons are about whether we’re right for each other. But you never said you didn’t like me. So should I take that to mean—you do?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s some twisted logic.”

“Do you like me, Elaine?” Carlson pressed, his gaze unwavering. “If you take everything else away—do you?”

“I…” She bit her lip, suddenly unable to answer.

But her silence said enough.

Carlson’s eyes lit up with a spark of hope.

Elaine was still standing, looking anywhere but at him.

He looked up at her, his eyes unexpectedly gentle, with a hint of pleading. “Elaine, if you don’t hate me, could we try?”

He was putting himself on the lowest rung, so unlike the Carlson Baker she’d always known—the one who only ever teased and argued with her.

Right now, looking into his eyes, she found herself unable to say no. Somewhere deep inside, there was a flicker of hope she’d never dared to acknowledge.

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