His Forbidden Rose Novel

Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon by Trevon Hale Mist 1 Summary In the first chapter of "Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon," Caroline Jones receives a call from her uncle, Matthew, inviting her to dinner with Chase Spencer, a figure from her past. Chase had played a significant role in her life after the tragic loss of her parents when she was just eight years old. He took her in and cared for her, filling the emotional void left by her parents. However, their relationship became strained five years ago, leading to a long period of silence between them.

Caroline's mixed feelings surface as she prepares to see him again, revealing a complex blend of nostalgia, resentment, and unresolved emotions. As Caroline arrives at the restaurant, she is overwhelmed by the tension in the air. Chase's commanding presence and serious demeanor stir up feelings she thought she had buried. Their conversation is stilted, filled with unspoken questions and lingering glances. Caroline tries to maintain a facade of normalcy, insisting that she has been fine and even mentioning her boyfriend, a detail that seems to unsettle Chase.

The emotional distance between them is palpable, and Caroline struggles to navigate the awkwardness, feeling the weight of their shared history pressing down on her. The dinner unfolds with an undercurrent of tension, as Caroline attempts to keep the conversation light while Chase's probing questions reveal his lingering concern for her. The revelation that she is supposedly getting engaged adds further strain to their interaction. Caroline's heart races as she lies about her relationship, trying to shield herself from Chase's scrutiny.

The atmosphere grows increasingly oppressive, and Caroline feels trapped between her past with Chase and her present life, leading to a sense of impending conflict. Just when it seems that the dinner will conclude on a sour note, Caroline's boyfriend arrives, injecting a moment of relief into the heavy atmosphere. However, the sight of him standing beside Caroline only deepens Chase's discomfort. The chapter closes with an unsettling tension as the two men face each other, hinting at the complicated dynamics that will unfold as their lives intersect once more.

The emotional stakes are high, and Caroline is caught in a web of loyalty, love, and the shadows of her past. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 1 Caroline Jones was in the breakroom pouring coffee when her uncle called . " Caroline , Chase Spencer's in Northwood . Come home for dinner tonight . He rarely makes it out here , and after how much he looked after you back in the day , we owe it to him to be good hosts . " Her uncle , Matthew Holmes , sounded enthusiastic , completely missing the unusual silence on her end of the line .

Caroline's mind drifted off , and she didn't snap out of it until the hot coffee overflowed and scalded her hand . " Okay , I got it , " she said before hanging up . The Spencers and the Jones Organization were old allies . Generationally , Chase was senior to her a fact that had once defined their entire relationship . When Caroline was eight , her parents died in an accident , and she was suddenly an orphan . Terrified , she hid in a closet , crying until she fell asleep , only to wake up and start crying all over again . It was a sixteen - year - old Chase Spencer who found her .

He brought her to live with his family , and from then on , he took care of everything for her , big and small . He drove her to school , taught her how to navigate the world , and showered her with a kind of favoritism and special treatment that everyone else envied . Slowly , he filled the emotional void left by the loss of her parents ... For ten years , he raised her to be carefree and vibrant . Until five years ago ... Caroline shoved down the churning emotions and threw herself back into her work .

Just as she was about to leave for the day , Caroline walked out of a conference room and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the reception area . She froze . It was Chase Spencer , As if sensing her gaze , Chase looked over . " All done? " He stood and walked toward her . At nearly six - foot - three , he had an imposing presence . The black overcoat he wore made him look tall and sharp , his expression as serious as ever . He was immaculate , not a single detail out of place . Caroline's heart clenched .

She clutched the file in her hand , managed a quiet " mhm , " and then addressed him 1/4 Chapter 1 formally . " Mr. Spencer . " " Let's go . Time for dinner , " Chase said , his voice low and his presence commanding . Caroline just said , " Okay . " The moment she got in the car , a storm began to brew in her chest , her heart tightening in an involuntary knot . She had thought five years would have been enough to dilute those old feelings into nothing , but she had underestimated Chase's effect on her .

The moment he appeared , the towering tree of emotion she had fought so hard to chop down showed signs of sprouting again . " How have you been these past few years ? " Chase started the car , breaking the stalemate . Caroline suppressed the turmoil inside her , answering as naturally as she could . " I've been fine . " Chase's eyes landed on her , his gaze carrying an unspoken scrutiny . " Fine ? Then how come I never heard from you ? " Caroline explained , " I sent you texts for every holiday . " Chase drove on without a word , but Caroline could tell he wasn't satisfied with that answer .

" Are you here on business? " Caroline changed the subject . Chase grunted in affirmation . " Mhm ." Silence fell over the car . Caroline tried to think of something to say to ease the awkwardness , but the tidal wave of emotions had her thoughts in a total mess . She hadn't expected Chase to show up so suddenly . And she definitely hadn't expected him to pick her up from work . " Your uncle mentioned you've been having a tough time at work recently . " Chase stopped at a red light and turned to look at her , his long , dark eyes deep and unreadable . " Why didn't you tell me ?

" Caroline kept her tone polite . " It's nothing serious . I didn't want to bother you . " Chase's gaze deepened , and his words were heavy . " You didn't want to bother me , or you never even thought to call me ? " Caroline's chest suddenly felt tight . Before she could come up with an excuse , Chase's expression had cooled as he started driving again . At the same time , her phone buzzed in her pocket . 2/4 Chapter 1 Seeing it was her uncle , Caroline's tense heart eased a bit , grateful that he was coming through for her for once . " Uncle . " " Have you met up with Chase ?

" Matthew asked . Caroline confirmed . " Yes , I have . " " Your aunt and I have an emergency we have to take care of , so we're heading out . Can you take Chase out for dinner ? " Matthew's voice was calm . Caroline : " ??? " Her mind went blank for a second . " Just me ? " Matthew replied , " Yep . " Caroline's last sliver of hope died . She hung up the phone , took a moment to compose herself , and then turned to Chase. " My uncle and aunt had to step out for an emergency and won't be back for a while . How about we go to the Jade Pavilion ? Their food should be more to your taste .

" " Whatever you arrange is fine , " Chase said , having no objection . Caroline nodded and started making a reservation . They arrived at the Jade Pavilion . She let Chase order . While they waited for the food , neither of them spoke . Drowning in the oppressive atmosphere , Caroline weighed her options before finally pulling out her phone to send a text . " Busy ? " Chase noticed . Caroline froze , then immediately explained when she felt his gaze on her . " Not busy . Just texting my boyfriend to have him come over . " Chase paused . " You rarely come to Northwood .

As someone a generation younger , he should really come and meet you , " Caroline said , each word a carefully placed brick in the wall she was building between them , all pleasantries and formalities . " He'll be here soon . " Chase's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly . " When did you get a boyfriend ? " Caroline answered , " Three years ago . " Chase pressed , " How come I've never heard about him ? " Caroline's reply was smooth . " I figured you're always busy , so I was planning to bring him to Capital River City to visit you after we got engaged .

" 3/4 Chapter 1 Chase's eyes grew even darker . " So , asking him to come now ... does that mean you're getting engaged ? " Just as Caroline was about to answer , a server came in and began placing their dishes on the table . As each plate was set down , Caroline's anxiety didn't lessen one bit . In fact , under Chase's unwavering stare , she felt wound tighter and tighter . But since it was just the two of them , she had no choice but to bite the bullet and try to break the tension by describing the restaurant's specialty dishes . " You should like this one . It's ...

" " You still haven't answered my question , " Chase interrupted , his gaze locking onto her , so intense it felt tangible . Caroline's words died in her throat . She pushed down the sour , suffocating ache in her chest , and after a moment of silence , she told a calm , measured lie . " Yes . We're getting engaged as soon as I wrap up my current project . " Chase's expression soured . Caroline lowered her gaze and said nothing more . A silent , bottomless pit opened up between them .

Just when Caroline thought the dinner was doomed to end on a disastrously sour note , Chase's deep voice cut through the silence , his tone like that of a concerned elder . " When is he getting here ? " " Soon , " Caroline said . The words had barely left her lips . The door to the private room swung open , and a man in casual clothes - energetic and cheerful - walked in . A wide smile spread across his face as he called out to her , " Jones ! " Caroline stood up . The man jogged over to her side . The two of them looked perfect standing together .

But to Chase , the sight was nothing but an eyesore . Conclusion As the evening wore on, Caroline felt the weight of her choices pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. The laughter and lightness with which she had once navigated her relationship with Chase now felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the palpable tension that had settled between them. With each passing moment, she realized that the carefully constructed walls she had built to protect herself were crumbling, revealing the raw vulnerability that lay beneath.

The sight of her boyfriend entering the room should have brought her joy, yet it only deepened the chasm between her and Chase, whose darkened expression spoke volumes about the unresolved feelings simmering just below the surface. Caroline's heart ached as she grappled with the reality that no matter how hard she tried to move on, Chase would always occupy a space in her heart that no one else could fill. In the end, the dinner served as a bittersweet reminder of the past they shared and the futures they were now forging apart.

Caroline's heart raced as she watched Chase's reaction to her boyfriend, an unsettling mix of jealousy and concern etched across his features. It was a moment of reckoning, where the ghosts of their shared history haunted the present, and the choices they made would shape their paths moving forward. As laughter filled the air and the clinking of silverware punctuated the silence, Caroline understood that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges.

With the unexpected arrival of Caroline's boyfriend, the stakes are raised, and the carefully constructed facade she has built around her feelings is threatened. Will Chase confront Caroline about her engagement, or will he choose to remain silent, allowing the distance between them to grow? As they sit at the table, the air thick with unspoken words, the dinner promises to be a battleground of emotions, where every glance and silence carries weight.

Moreover, the chapter will delve into Caroline's internal struggle as she grapples with her long-buried feelings for Chase while trying to uphold her current relationship. Readers will witness the clash between her desire to move on and the magnetic pull of her past. Chase's demeanor, once a source of comfort, now becomes a source of confusion and heartache. As secrets begin to unravel, will Caroline find the courage to confront her true feelings, or will she continue to hide behind the walls she has built?

Expect revelations, raw emotions, and perhaps a pivotal moment that could change the trajectory of their lives forever. The Sleeping Moon looms overhead, a silent witness to the unfolding drama, hinting that the night may hold more than just dinner-it may hold the key to their destinies. Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.