?Chapter 92:
Rather than heading straight to Willow Lane, Elliana took a sharp detour, guiding Hailee toward a nearby hotel instead.
“Wait—why are we pulling into a hotel?” Hailee asked, squinting in confusion.
Elliana shoved her fingers through the tangled mess of her wig and let out a sigh. “I need to pull myself together. If your dad catches me like this, he’s bound to think you’re hanging around with the wrong crowd.”
A grin tugged at Hailee’s lips. “Sure, my dad’s got outdated ideas, bute on—you’ve got that ‘cool but dangerous’ thing going. He’ll love you once he sees past the mascara.”
Despite Hailee’s reassurance, Elliana wasn’t taking chances—she needed to dial it down. Now that her discreet identity as Rosa was out, walking around like a neon sign wasn’t smart. And dragging Hailee into unwanted attention? That was off the table.
While Elliana disappeared into the bathroom for a fast rinse, Hailee made herself at home on the couch, scrolling idly and waiting. Thirty minutester, the bathroom door creaked open, and Elliana emerged like a different woman.
Hailee nearly fell off the couch. She jumped up, eyes wide. “Girl, you look unreal!”
Elliana hadn’t changed her outfit—a simple ck tracksuit still hugged her frame—but the transformation was in the details. Her tangled mop had been tamed into sleek waves, and with the heavy makeup gone, her skin glowed with a soft, natural shine.
Wanting to keep things low-key, Elliana added a quirky touch—a pair of oversized gold-rimmed sses with no lenses, just enough to veil her face and give her that subtle mystery.
The transformation was striking. The girl who used to stick out like a sore thumb now looked effortlessly cool—poised, polished, and maic.
“You’re a total babe! Why would you ever cover that up? Ditch the disastrous makeup forever!” Hailee eximed, halfughing at the end. Twenty was the age to unt one’s youth, not bury it beneathyers of entricity. But Elliana had her reasons—her sudden marriage to Cole had flipped her world and forced her into hiding. Without that curveball, the disguise would’ve been ancient history.
Of course, none of that made it to Hailee’s ears. Elliana simply gave a nonchnt shrug. “Habit I never quite dropped,” she said with a casual smile.
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Hailee gave Elliana a yful look, puffing out her cheeks in disbelief. While most girls would die for even a fraction of Elliana’s looks—some even chasing it with surgery—here Elliana was, hiding it under quirky camouge.
Hailee chuckled to herself. Elliana was truly something else.
Elliana and Hailee stepped out of the hotel and hopped into a cab bound for Willow Lane.
About an hourter, they reached the entrance to thene, which was bursting with life. Crowds wove between stalls, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled meats and spices, a rhythm of chatter and tter filling the space.
With energy in their steps, Elliana and Hailee jumped out and began weaving through the lively crowd, heading straight for the Loftus family diner.
Though both turned heads, their vibes couldn’t have been more different. Hailee gave off wholesome sunshine, the ssic sweetheart charm. Elliana, on the other hand, carried herself like a heroine out of a high-stakes drama—striking, maic, unforgettable.
Side by side, they stole the spotlight—like two stars casually strutting through a movie set lit by neon and streetlights.
A couple hundred feet in, Hailee lit up and pointed down thene. “That’s it! My family diner, right there.”
Elliana followed her gaze to a cheerful, glowing sign that proudly read Loftus’s Comfort Eats in bold block letters.
Squeezed between neighboring eateries, the diner gave off an inviting warmth. The smell of something delicious wafted into the street, and through the pristine windows, Elliana spotted a bustling crowd. Clearly, this ce was a local favorite.
Inside, a man in a spotless chef’s coat moved like a whirlwind, bouncing between the kitchen and dining area with practiced urgency. “That’s my dad,” Hailee said with pride, motioning toward the man. “All our recipese straight from the family vault. Way better than the usual stuff—and they won’t burn a hole in your wallet. That’s why people never stoping.”
“Looks like I’m about to have the best meal of the week,” Elliana said, grinning as the taste yed out in her imagination.
With a bright smile lighting up her face, Hailee pushed open the door and guided Elliana into the warm, inviting diner.
Behind the counter, Hailee’s father, Briggs Loftus, was juggling tes when he caught sight of Hailee. His tired eyes lit up instantly. “Hey there, sweetheart!”
When he caught a glimpse of Elliana next to Hailee, he paused midstep and blinked. “Well, now—who’s your stunning friend?”
“That’s Elliana Marsh,” Hailee replied, nudging her with a grin. “She came for the food everyone keeps bragging about.”
Waving them over, he motioned to a booth near the back corner. “You’ll like this spot—quiet, cozy, and perfect for first-timers. I’ll cook up something real good for you.”
“Appreciate it,” Elliana remarked, her smile both warm and polite. Hailee’s dad let out a soft chuckle and disappeared behind the swinging kitchen doors.
Before heading off, Hailee leaned down and said, “Sit tight. I’m gonna lend my dad a hand in the back.”
Elliana gave her a simple nod, her smile lingering.
Once Hailee was alone, Elliana sank into the booth and nced around. The air buzzed with casual conversation and the clink of utensils. From the nearby murmurs, she gathered that Hailee’s dad had a good reputation—friendly, steady, the kind of guy who got along with just about anyone. Hearing that only made things click—of course Hailee was so grounded. She’d been raised right.
A few minutester, Hailee returned, bncing two tes piled high with food. “Alright, Elliana, time to feast!”
“Perfect,” Elliana said, already reaching for her fork. But just as she was about to taste the first bite, a burst of shouting erupted from the street outside…
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