I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Asher Keating Is Here

Mabel Grant had spent a full three days picking out what Leah Sinclair should wear tonight, right down to the accessories. Leah was about to get down on her knees and beg before Mabel finally, and reluctantly, settled on the outfit she was wearing now.

As for the jewelry worth millions that Mabel had brought over, Leah Sinclair wore none of it. She only put on the birthday present Asher Keating had given her. Mason Grant glanced at the jade bracelet on her wrist. ’Good thing she doesn’t know how much this costs,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, she wouldn’t be wearing it.’

A moment of silence was broken by a ripple of applause, which soon swelled into a thunderous ovation throughout the banquet hall.

"Wow... It’s true what they say, the clothes really do make the woman. I thought Leah Sinclair looked gorgeous at the old Mr. Keating’s birthday banquet, but I almost didn’t recognize her this time." Riley Sterling stared at Leah ahead of them, his mouth hanging open.

"Hey! Our Leah has *always* been gorgeous, okay?" Sheila Hughes shot him a glare and rolled her eyes, then turned to look at Leah Sinclair excitedly.

"Sigh. It’s a shame Asher didn’t come."

Shawn Grant remarked casually, and his single sentence was enough to sour the mood for the entire table. Seeing the sullen looks on Ethan Shaw and the others’ faces, Shawn Grant just clicked his tongue.

After being paraded around by Mabel Grant to meet what felt like an endless circle of people, Leah Sinclair was reaching her limit. Just then, Mabel finally released her, allowing her to go find Sheila Hughes and the others.

"Leah! Leah!" Sheila Hughes exclaimed, waving excitedly as she saw Leah Sinclair approach.

A smile bloomed on Leah Sinclair’s face when she saw Sheila Hughes. She glanced around the table, but Asher Keating wasn’t among Ethan Shaw and the others. Her heart clenched, but she forced herself to keep smiling.

"Thank you all for coming." Leah Sinclair sat beside Sheila Hughes, her smile a little distant.

"Leah, Asher... he’s been really busy lately, that’s why he couldn’t make it."

Ethan Shaw had seen her gaze sweep over their group, and he knew she was looking for Asher Keating. He offered a lame excuse, but even he didn’t believe the words as they left his mouth.

"It’s fine. I know."

Leah Sinclair’s lips curved into a semblance of a smile as she raised her glass. "In any case, thank you all for coming. Mason and I are leaving for Eldoria tomorrow. Once I go... I might be gone for over three years."

"Tomorrow?! That’s so soon!"

Sheila Hughes shrieked. Ethan Shaw and the others were just as shocked. She had only been back in Kingsford for a few days, and now she was leaving the country tomorrow? That was practically rocket speed.

"Mhm, the flight’s at noon tomorrow."

After a moment of silence, everyone raised their glasses to clink against hers.

"Leah, Asher wanted me to tell you... have a safe trip." Ethan Shaw took a sip of his wine. It was a vintage worth hundreds of thousands a bottle, yet all he could taste was bitterness.

"Please... thank him for me."

Hearing this, Leah Sinclair felt her composure about to break. She quickly downed her wine and excused herself to the restroom. Worried, Sheila Hughes followed her.

"Leah... are you okay?" Sheila Hughes asked, linking arms with her, her face etched with concern.

"I’m fine. Really, Sheila. I just... I miss him a little. You can go back, I’m just going to wash my hands."

Leah Sinclair managed a small smile. A pang of sadness shot through Sheila Hughes. The woman before her was smiling, but there was something about that smile that was utterly heartbreaking to watch.

Sheila found herself wanting to blame Asher Keating all over again. She knew he must be hurting just as much, but she simply couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t come to see Leah just once.

After a moment, Sheila realized Leah probably wanted to be alone. She sighed softly, gave her hand a reassuring pat, and headed back.

Leah Sinclair walked into the women’s restroom and locked herself in a stall. The tears she’d been holding back finally fell. Huddled in the small space, she wrapped her arms around herself and sank to the floor, her heart constricting with a raw, pulsing ache.

’Asher Keating hadn’t come. Even knowing she was leaving the country, he still hadn’t come. He must truly hate me now. So much that he won’t even grant me one last meeting.’

"Asher..."

Leah murmured, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

She lost track of how long she spent in the restroom. After taking countless deep breaths, Leah finally emerged from the stall. She checked her reflection in the mirror to make sure there was nothing amiss before walking out.

Leah had been in a daze on her way to the restroom and hadn’t paid attention to her surroundings. Now, trying to return, she was lost. After wandering in a circle, she still couldn’t find the way back to the banquet hall and found herself staring blankly into a dimly lit corridor.

She could hear the muffled sounds of the party, but no matter which way she turned, she couldn’t seem to find her way back. She hadn’t passed a single person. Her dress for the evening had no pockets, so she’d left her phone behind.

Just as she was debating whether to look for a service desk, someone approached her. "Second Miss Grant?"

Leah Sinclair looked up. She thought Mabel Grant might have introduced her to this man earlier, but there had been so many introductions tonight that she couldn’t recall his name. All she could do was offer an apologetic smile. "Hello. I’m so sorry to bother you, but could you point me in the right direction? I... seem to be lost."

The man smiled. He was handsome, with a tall, sturdy build, yet he carried himself with a refined, scholarly air. His smile was disarmingly warm. "I can show you the way back. My surname is Peyton. Liam Peyton."

"Thank you, Mr. Peyton." Leah gave a slight nod of gratitude.

Liam Peyton gestured for her to go ahead. As he raised his arm, Leah caught the crisp, woody fragrance on his wrist. It was the same scent Asher Keating wore.

For a heartbeat, she froze. Noticing Liam Peyton’s questioning look, she quickly snapped out of it and began walking with him.

Beside the spot where they had just been standing, a heavy curtain fluttered, as if stirred by a draft from a window that hadn’t been closed properly.

As they neared the entrance, Mason Grant came out. He hurried over when he saw Leah. "Sis, did you get lost?"

"Mhm, I couldn’t find my way back. I ran into Mr. Peyton, and he kindly showed me the way." Leah gestured toward Liam Peyton beside her.

"Mason, I’ll hand your sister back to you," Liam Peyton said with a smile, patting Mason Grant’s shoulder.

"Thanks, Wynn," Mason Grant replied with a grateful smile.

Leah also thanked Liam Peyton. But just as she was about to step forward, a thought struck her like a bolt of lightning. She spun around and started running back the way she came.

"Sis! Where are you going?" Mason Grant yelled after her frantic figure.

’No, that’s not right. The scent is wrong.’

Her mind raced. ’Just now, I smelled the cologne on Liam Peyton and thought it was the same as Asher’s. But on second thought, it’s not quite the same. It’s missing something. But the scent I caught before... that was definitely Asher’s.’

’Asher was here.’

Leah didn’t hear Mason calling her, nor did she see the startled glances from onlookers. All she wanted was to get back to where she’d been just moments ago. She just wanted to see him.

But by the time she ran back, the space behind the curtain was empty. Only the faintest trace of that crisp, woody fragrance lingered in the air.

"Sis!"

"Where’s the main entrance?"

"Just take a left here. What’s wrong?"

Leah took off running toward the main entrance again. Her high heels made it difficult, and she nearly twisted her ankle. In a desperate move, she kicked them off and kept running, not giving them a second thought.

Mason Grant scooped up her shoes and ran after her. By the time Leah finally reached the main entrance, Asher Keating was already getting into a car. All she saw was his silhouette as he bent to get inside.

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