His Forbidden Rose Novel

Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon by Trevon Hale Mist 4 Summary In "Ashen Roads Toward the Sleeping Moon," Caroline feels a wave of relief wash over her once Christian is out of sight, but her concern for him quickly takes precedence as she notices his pain from an injury. Despite his reassurances that he is not fragile, Caroline insists on taking him home, showcasing her protective nature. As they walk together, guilt surfaces in Christian, prompting him to apologize for the trouble he caused, particularly with the unexpected appearance of her uncle.

Their conversation shifts to the looming threat of parental punishment if their actions are revealed, amplifying the tension and fear they both feel. Christian's suggestion that Caroline should speak to her uncle to mitigate the situation reveals his desperation to avoid punishment, while Caroline's fear mirrors his own. Their banter reflects a mix of humor and anxiety, highlighting their close relationship yet underscoring the seriousness of their predicament.

As Caroline maintains her composure, Christian's vulnerability becomes evident, and their silence during the drive home speaks volumes about their shared dread of the consequences they might face. After dropping Christian off and purchasing medicine for him, Caroline receives a call from her uncle, Matthew, who unwittingly brings more chaos into her life by mentioning her engagement plans and inviting Chase over for dinner. The conversation reveals a hidden tension as both Caroline and Christian realize the implications of Chase's presence, which could expose their recent misadventures.

Caroline's internal struggle intensifies as she grapples with the idea of having Chase stay in her empty condo, knowing it would force her to confront unresolved feelings and memories. The following day, Caroline's anxiety peaks as she prepares to meet Chase alone after Christian cancels on her. When Chase arrives unexpectedly, his imposing presence reignites Caroline's conflict. She attempts to maintain a professional demeanor while grappling with the emotional turmoil he stirs within her.

The atmosphere is charged as Chase questions her reluctance to let him stay, forcing Caroline to confront her past and the reasons for her departure from Capital River City. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager to see how Caroline will navigate this emotionally fraught encounter. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Caroline didn't relax until he was completely out of sight . She looked over at Christian , who was clutching his stomach with a pained frown . " Should we go to the hospital ? " she asked . " Nah . " Christian rubbed the spot where he'd been hit .

" I'm not that fragile . " " I'll take you home , then . " Not pushing it , Caroline took his car keys . They walked out of the private room together . On the way back , a flash of guilt crossed Christian's eyes . He broke the silence first . " Sorry about today . I really caused you a lot of trouble . I never thought your uncle would show up . " " We should be more worried about how we're going to explain this if he snitches to our parents , " Caroline said , her mind on the bigger problem .

" If your parents find out you've been messing around , you'll probably be bedridden for the rest of your life . " He really didn't need to hear that . At the very mention of it , Christian's face went pale as a ghost . It wasn't a " probably . " He'd one hundred percent be beaten into a hospital bed . " How about you go sound him out ? " Christian didn't want to die . " He seemed pretty concerned about you . If you go say a few nice things , he might just decide not to tell on us . " Caroline shot him a look . She didn't want to die , either . " You're not scared , are you ?

" Christian tried a little reverse psychology , fully committed to a " better you than me " philosophy . " If you're scared , you can just say so . I won't force you . " Caroline said , " Yeah , I'm scared ." " Come on! " Christian dropped the act and grabbed at her arm . " If you're scared , I'm toast ! You can't just stand by and watch me get new bruises on top of my old ones , can you ? " Caroline kept her hands steady on the wheel . " Let go ." " I'm more useful to you alive , " Christian began his sales pitch . " You don't want to be all alone the next time you see your uncle , do you ?

" Caroline fell silent . In a way , she really didn't . But- 1/5 Chapter 4 " He lives in Capital River City full - time . He rarely comes to Northwood , " Caroline replied calmly , refusing to take his bait . " We've only seen each other once in five years . " Christian was crushed . Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive , One drove , while the other contemplated the best groveling posture to earn a little mercy when the inevitable beating came . Half an hour later .

Caroline bought some medicine for Christian at the pharmacy downstairs , saw him up to his apartment , and watched him take it before planning to head back . But before she could leave , her phone rang . Seeing it was her uncle , Caroline answered quickly . " Matthew . " " You little rascal , you're getting engaged and you don't even tell me ? " Matthew feigned anger . " If your uncle hadn't told me , I would've had no idea you were planning to get engaged as soon as your project wrapped up . " Caroline froze . She walked over and sat down next to Christian , putting the call on speaker .

With a sinking heart , she asked , " Chase called you ? " Christian was like , " !!! " What was happening ! " I called him , " Matthew said . " I was a poor host today with all the business I had , so I invited him over for dinner this weekend . " Caroline took a deep breath , her heart in her throat . " What did he say ? " " Of course he said yes , " Matthew replied , completely oblivious to the shift in Caroline's mood . Caroline : " ... " Of course . You could never expect to hear good news from her uncle Matthew . " You and Christian should come too .

He said he forgot to tell you guys something when he left the club , " Matthew continued . " Weren't you supposed to take him to dinner at The Redwood ? How'd you end up at a club ? " Caroline and Christian looked at each other . They both knew this was a blatant threat . 2/5 Chapter 4 " Chase had some last - minute business to take care of , so we just dropped him off , " Caroline improvised . Matthew just said , " Oh , okay , " and didn't press further . Caroline's heart was still pounding . " Did he say anything else ?

" " He did , " Matthew said , doling out information one piece at a time . Caroline's body tensed . Christian was on pins and needles . They were both terrified that Chase would find a way to hint at what happened at the club . " He said he's planning to stay here for a while and asked if I could recommend a quiet place with a river view , " Matthew's voice came through the phone , sending Caroline's world into a tailspin . " I told him you have an empty condo that's perfect . " " You're really ... " Caroline swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue .

" No need to thank me , " Matthew said , ever the clueless one . " If you're free tomorrow , you should take him to see it . " Caroline didn't respond . She didn't know if she should agree . On one hand , it was only right . Her uncle had raised her , taught her how to navigate the world . Letting him stay in her spare condo for a while was the least she could do . But living so close ... that meant seeing him all the time . Eating together . And talking about things she'd rather leave buried . That night . Caroline had a rare bout of insomnia .

Back in her own place , she tossed and turned for ages , unable to fall asleep . Her mind was filled with thoughts of Chase . Even though Christian had promised to go with her tomorrow , the thought of facing her uncle still filled her with a sense of dread . She just hoped tomorrow would go smoothly . As it turned out . When it rains , it pours . The next morning , just after Caroline texted the address to Chase , Christian sent a message saying he couldn't make it . 3/5 Chapter 4 She asked him what was wrong . Ten minutes passed with no reply .

In the end , after Chase texted to say he'd arrived , Caroline had to brace herself and go meet him alone . Just as she opened her door to head downstairs , she saw Chase standing right outside , his hand raised , about to knock . Caroline was a little surprised . " Chase ? " " Your uncle gave me the apartment number , so I came up myself , " Chase said , his lips parting slightly . He'd changed into a dark suit . The anger in his eyes from the day before had subsided , but you could still feel his powerful presence .

" Please , come in , " Caroline said , stepping aside and avoiding his gaze . " Matthew told me you're planning to stay here for a while and are looking for a quiet place with a river view . " Chase's eyes never left her . " Mm ." " Here are some listings that meet your criteria . You can take a look . " Caroline picked up the tablet from the table and handed it to him , trying her best to remain rational . " A couple are in this building , and the rest are in the complex across the street . " She'd thought it over all night .

To avoid unnecessary complications and maintain a proper distance , it was better if he didn't live right next door . Her place wasn't the only one in all of Northwood that fit his requirements . Chase didn't take it . His dark eyes stared at her , and he spoke without pretense . " Your uncle said you have an empty one ." Caroline's hand holding the tablet tightened . " I do . " " You don't want me to stay here ? " Chase's eyes seemed to see right through her . Caroline didn't say a word . Her silence was answer enough . " Why ?

" Chase stepped closer , his clean , crisp scent surrounding her , leaving her with no room to escape , nowhere to retreat . Caroline stood there , her entire body tensed . As the familiar scent filled her senses , dusty , sealed - off memories began to stir . Watching him ask the question with such audacity , a storm of emotions churned inside her . The words tumbled out before she could stop them . " Have you forgotten the reason I left Capital River City in 4/5 Chapter 4 the first place ?

" Conclusion As Caroline stood before Chase, the weight of their shared history pressed heavily on her chest, intertwining with the fear of what his presence might reignite. The unresolved tension and buried emotions threatened to spill over, creating a chasm between them that felt insurmountable. In that moment, she realized that the decision to keep him at arm's length was not merely about physical proximity; it was about protecting herself from the ghosts of their past.

The memories she had tried so hard to suppress began to claw their way back to the surface, reminding her of the pain and betrayal that had once driven her away. She felt her heart race, caught in a tempest of anger and longing, and the question hung in the air like a dark cloud, demanding an answer that she was not ready to give. Yet, beneath the turmoil, there was a flicker of hope-a chance for closure, perhaps even understanding. Caroline's resolve began to waver as she faced Chase, the man who had once meant everything to her.

Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of family loyalty and the consequences of their choices. As Caroline navigates her uncle's intentions and Chase's presence, the reader will be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, from anxiety to defiance. Expect unexpected revelations that could alter the course of their lives forever. Will Caroline find the strength to stand her ground, or will she succumb to the pressures of her family ties?

The unfolding drama will leave you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover how their intertwined fates will play out in the shadow of the past. 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.