His Forbidden Rose Novel

Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon by Trevon Hale Mist 20 Summary In Chapter 20 of "Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon," Caroline and Christian share a moment of intense connection, marked by Caroline's unexpected confession about her boyfriend cheating on her. This revelation takes Christian by surprise, prompting a playful yet tense exchange between them. As their friends, Chase and Hannah, observe, the atmosphere shifts from serious to light-hearted as they engage in a game that reveals deeper emotions and unspoken bonds among the group.

As the game progresses, the playful banter continues, but the underlying tension between Caroline and Christian remains palpable. Chase's comment about raising a child strikes a chord with Caroline, highlighting the unacknowledged complexities of their relationship. The conversation takes a humorous turn when Hannah interjects about pets, but Chase's insistence on the seriousness of family matters lingers in the air. Amidst laughter, Caroline's quiet demeanor contrasts with the group's joviality, hinting at her internal struggles.

The stakes rise when Christian faces a dare, leading to an awkward yet playful moment where he must kiss Caroline. Their initial hesitance turns into a shared experience as they navigate the complexities of their relationship in front of their friends. The kiss, though staged, ignites a rush of emotions for both characters, revealing their deeper feelings for one another. However, the light-hearted atmosphere quickly shifts again as Christian continues to lose in the game, leading to a situation where Caroline feels compelled to take care of him when he becomes too inebriated.

As the chapter closes, Caroline makes the decision to take Christian home, showing her protective instincts and care for him. Hannah's concern about the tension between Caroline and Chase suggests that not all is well within the group. Chase's lingering doubts about Christian and Caroline's relationship add an additional layer of complexity, hinting at potential conflicts ahead. The chapter ends with an unresolved tension, leaving readers questioning the dynamics between the characters and the future of Caroline and Christian's relationship.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **TITLE: Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon by Trevon Hale** **Chapter 20** Their gazes locked, and in that fleeting moment, Caroline felt as if he could see right through the very fabric of her being. A rush of embarrassment surged within her, compelling her to suppress the vulnerability that threatened to spill over. Almost instinctively, she blurted out the first thing that came to her frantic mind, "My boyfriend cheated on me." Christian's body went rigid, caught off guard by her abrupt confession.

Leaning closer, he hissed in her ear, his voice low and tense, "Hey, that's cold." Caroline hesitated, the weight of her words settling heavily in the air between them. "Does it have to be about a boyfriend?" Christian asked, his tone shifting back to its usual cadence, a hint of mischief sparkling in his eyes. "What if I said I was the one who cheated?" Silence enveloped her; Caroline found herself unable to respond.

She noticed the competitive glint flickering in his gaze, and with a resigned nod, she replied, "Fine." At her acceptance, a grin broke across Christian's face, his mood lifting instantly. Chase and Hannah, who had been observing the exchange, turned their attention toward them. Chase's expression was inscrutable, a mask of calm that belied any hint of his thoughts, while Hannah's eyes widened slightly, surprise evident on her face as if she couldn't quite fathom how someone could speak of such matters with such nonchalance.

Moments later, Chase directed his gaze at Caroline, breaking the tension. "I poured my heart into raising a child." The statement struck Caroline like a bolt from the blue. She averted her eyes, acutely aware that he was referencing her, the unspoken bond of family hanging heavily in the air. "Does a pet count?" Hannah interjected, her voice light, attempting to steer the conversation toward safer waters. Christian was quick to respond. "I had a dog." "I had a rabbit," Hannah added, her tone cheerful, as if the mention of pets could lighten the mood.

Chase, however, remained focused on Caroline, his voice slow and deliberate as he replied, "No, it has to be a child." Neither Christian nor Hannah argued with him, the atmosphere shifting slightly as they continued their game. The rounds progressed, laughter and light-hearted banter filling the room, the tension gradually dissipating as the game unfolded. As the game wore on, it became evident that Chase was the one who would ultimately face the consequences of their playful competition. "You lost," Hannah declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief as they settled on him.

"So, what's it gonna be? Drink or dare?" "Drink," Chase replied, a resigned sigh escaping his lips. He reached for the three glasses on the table, downing them in one swift motion, the liquid disappearing as if it were water. Christian clapped enthusiastically, his laughter echoing in the room. Hannah teased him playfully, her voice light and carefree. Yet, amid the joviality, Caroline remained quiet, her demeanor contrasting sharply with the others as she sat there, still as a statue, lost in her thoughts.

After that round, they transitioned to a few other games, and it became apparent that Chase and Christian were the ones who kept losing, their turns at drinking stacking up like empty glasses on the table. In less than thirty minutes, Christian had downed four or five drinks, the effects of the alcohol beginning to show. Thankfully, the drinks were relatively mild, leaving him merely buzzed rather than fully intoxicated. And then, in a twist of fate, Christian lost once more. Staring at the trio of glasses before him, he faltered, a hint of panic flashing across his features. "No more.

I'll take the dare." "Alright, I'll go easy on you," Hannah said, her eyes dancing with mischief as they flickered between him and Caroline. After a brief pause, she declared, "Pick a girl here and give her a kiss." Christian's jaw dropped in disbelief. His heart raced as he glanced at Caroline, uncertainty flooding his voice as he asked, "A kiss?" "Yep," Hannah confirmed, her nod firm. "I'm letting you off easy this time. If you lose again, I won't be so merciful." The thought of that made Christian's heart sink. He would have preferred her to be less lenient.

"Going easy on me isn't fair," he protested, instinctively pulling Chase into the conversation as a buffer. "It's not fair to her uncle. We should just play by the rules." "It's fine," Chase interjected, his tone dismissive. Christian's smile faltered, and he turned to Caroline, whispering so only she could hear, "What do we do?" They were pretending, but how could they possibly kiss? Caroline was equally taken aback, her mind racing. "Don't tell me you've been dating for three years and have never kissed," Hannah chimed in, nudging the situation along as Chase had instructed her to do.

"We've kissed, just not in front of her family," Christian's thoughts scrambled as he glanced at Chase. "It's a little... awkward." "Pretend I'm not here," Chase said, a smirk playing on his lips. Christian was momentarily speechless. With a presence like his, how could anyone pretend he wasn't there? "If you're really that shy, we can have your uncle look away," Hannah suggested, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'll be the witness." Christian bit his lip, torn between embarrassment and confusion. He looked to Caroline for guidance.

To his surprise, Caroline turned to Hannah and asked, "Just a quick touch is okay, right?" Hannah nodded, her expression encouraging. "Sure." Christian's eyes widened in disbelief. "???" What did she mean by a quick touch? Had Jones completely lost her mind? Caroline stepped forward, pulling Christian in front of her with a serious expression. "Go on. Kiss me." Christian's brow furrowed in confusion. His eyes silently questioned: How? Caroline wiggled her thumb, a silent cue. Understanding washed over him in a wave of relief.

He put on a playful front for the others, declaring, "Alright, we're doing it. Don't go complaining about our PDA." With that, he leaned in, cradling Caroline's face gently in his hands. As his lips descended, he slipped his thumb between them, creating the illusion of a kiss. From Hannah's angle, it appeared as though they were genuinely sharing a kiss. "Done," Christian announced, his heart racing. The warmth of Caroline's face lingered on his fingertips, sending a thrill through him.

"Let's keep going, keep going." He swore to himself then and there that he would rather drink himself into oblivion than ever choose 'dare' again. This time, it had only been a peck. If they demanded a full make-out session next time, he would be utterly doomed. Perhaps it was just sheer misfortune, but Christian continued to lose after that, even when they switched games.

Seeing him falter yet again, Caroline glanced at Chase, her resolve hardening as she picked up the glass in front of Christian and declared, "I'll drink for him." "He can choose 'dare' if he can't drink," Chase interjected, his tone firm and unwavering. "The game isn't that extreme." Caroline met his gaze head-on. It wasn't extreme at all. The drinks were low-alcohol, and the dares were meant to be harmless fun. If she and Christian were a real couple, none of this would be a big deal.

"Or," Chase's tone shifted, his eyes narrowing as if he could read her thoughts, "do you think what just happened-him kissing you-was out of line?" The atmosphere grew tense, thick with unspoken words. "It's okay, Jones. I can drink," Christian interjected, reclaiming the glass. Leaning against her, his voice slurred slightly from the alcohol. "If I pass out, you can just have the driver carry me upstairs." A complicated expression crossed Caroline's face, guilt flickering in her eyes. Christian didn't enjoy drinking.

Even when out with friends, he would only indulge in moderation, never crossing the line into drunkenness. "I'm your boyfriend, don't worry," Christian reassured her, then downed the drink. But the way he stumbled afterward made it abundantly clear just how inebriated he had become. Caroline knew it all too well. He was drunk again. "If he can't drink, just let it go. We're all friends here, just having fun," Hannah chimed in, attempting to defuse the situation and keep the atmosphere light. "Don't be so serious." Yet Chase remained resolute, his expression unyielding.

Caroline turned her gaze away from him, her decision made as she bid farewell to Hannah. "Hannah, it's getting late. I'm going to take Christian home. You guys enjoy yourselves and get some rest." "I'll walk you out," Hannah offered, her voice warm. "No need," Caroline replied, helping Christian to his feet, her tone firm. "I've already called for a ride." Hannah didn't push further. "Okay, be safe on your way home," she said, genuine concern lacing her words. Caroline simply replied, "Will do." With that, she guided Christian out of the private room, the door closing behind them.

Watching them leave, Hannah turned to Chase, her voice steady and unhurried. "Look what you did. We were having a perfectly good time. Why'd you have to make things so tense?" Chase remained silent, his gaze fixed on the door as he pulled out his phone, messaging his assistant to arrange for Caroline and Christian's ride home. "You don't still think there's something wrong with their relationship, do you?" Hannah probed, her curiosity piqued.

Chase stated it matter-of-factly, "Isn't there?" "What's wrong with it?" Hannah countered, her earlier suspicions fading as she observed their interactions. "Some things about them are a little unusual, but I've been watching their dynamics. They're no different from any other couple." Chase remained quiet, his thoughts churning. Hannah continued, "Every couple has their own way of being together.

You can't judge them by your own standards." "If there was nothing wrong with them," Chase's voice took on a deeper, colder tone, a chill creeping across his handsome features, "he wouldn't have used his thumb to block the kiss." Conclusion In the quiet aftermath of the evening, as Caroline guided Christian toward the waiting car, a profound realization washed over her. The thrill of the playful dare had momentarily masked the deeper issues simmering beneath the surface of their relationship.

She felt a mix of protectiveness and frustration as she glanced at Christian, who was now leaning heavily against her, his laughter echoing hollowly in her ears. The kiss, though playful, had unveiled a fragile truth: their connection was precarious, teetering on the edge of something more profound yet undefined. Caroline's heart ached with the weight of unspoken words, the lingering shadows of betrayal still fresh in her mind, as she contemplated the delicate balance between affection and vulnerability.

As they settled into the car, the world outside blurred into a haze of lights and shadows, mirroring the tumult of emotions swirling within her. Caroline knew that their journey together was fraught with challenges, but it was also filled with potential for growth and understanding. In that moment, she resolved to confront the complexities of their relationship head-on, to shed the layers of pretense and truly connect with Christian. The road ahead was uncertain, but as she glanced at him, the warmth of his presence ignited a flicker of hope within her.

Will Caroline confront her feelings about their relationship, or will she continue to hide behind the facade of their pretend romance? Christian's inebriated state may lead to unexpected confessions, and it remains to be seen if the alcohol will embolden him to express his true emotions or if it will create further misunderstandings. Moreover, the dynamics among the group will shift as Chase's suspicions about Caroline and Christian's relationship come to the forefront. With Hannah caught in the middle, the atmosphere will become charged with unspoken truths and hidden agendas.

Will Chase's protective instincts drive him to intervene, or will he allow Caroline the space to figure things out for herself? As the night unfolds, secrets will be unveiled, and the stakes will rise, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the intricate web of relationships will unravel. Prepare for revelations that could change everything for Caroline, Christian, and their friends, as the ashen roads lead them toward the sleeping moon of their intertwined 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.