Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 156

Chapter 156 Years Between Us 

Ava blinked in surprise. “Hey, what’s going on? I already said I’d accept your flower–why are you daydreaming?” 

Finished 

Her delicate features seemed to bloom like a flower opening its petals. She had actually requested the flower herself–it almost felt like she was confessing in front of everyone. 

Ryan slowly regained his composure. His ears tinged with red, making the black gemstone stud on his ear stand out even more. Embarrassment froze his words, so he masked it with a rough tone. “Hmph! Took you long enough to ask me, huh? Fine. At least you remember.” 

He carefully plucked the flower from his chest and placed it gently in her palm. “Keep it safe. Don’t toss it the moment I look away. Wait at least until it droops and yellows. I’ll be checking on it every day.” 

Ava couldn’t hold back a laugh. The cold, intimidating persona people gossiped about online didn’t match the man in front of her at all. 

She curled her fingers around the stem and whispered, “Okay. I’ll take good care of it. I’ll send you a photo every day. Let’s see if you get tired of it.” 

Ryan ran a hand through his hair, masking the thrill coursing through him with a casual, low grunt. 

After ten years navigating the chaotic entertainment world, he somehow remained unusually pure–a surprising fact no one would have expected. 

Ava examined the flower in her hand. Its petals shifted from white to soft pink, delicate and lovely. She lifted it to her nose and inhaled. “It smells amazing.” 

Ryan watched her nose brush the petals, as if her lips might touch them too. A sudden heat rushed through him. He looked away in a fluster, then couldn’t resist sneaking another/glance. 

Earlier in the morning, Ava had seen Jonathan standing by the window, staring into the distance. 

“Morning, Great–uncle Jonathan,” she greeted. 

He turned toward her. “You’re awake, Ava. Yara is already on her way.” 

Ava quickly sat and ate breakfast, asking halfway through, “Great–uncle Jonathan, I haven’t seen Asher. Where did he go?” 

Jonathan studied her face, as if trying to read her thoughts 

“Great–uncle Jonathan?” she prompted. 

“Ava, Asher had to leave for an urgent mission. He departed from the Capitol Planet yesterday.” 

Ava let a soft sound of surprise slip out. “That was so sudden. Why didn’t he say anything yesterday?” 

“Are you truly upset that he left?” 

16:53 Thu, Jan 15 G M 

Chapter 156 Years Between Us 

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“Not really. I just… I thought we were close, like actual siblings. I’ve always treated him like my own brother. Him leaving without a word–well, that stings a little.” 

It was clear now–Asher’s feelings had been one–sided. Ava only saw him as a brother. 

Jonathan felt a mix of relief and a twinge of regret. Ava would forever remain the Morren family’s granddaughter. Nothing more could exist between her and Asher. 

He moved to sit across from her. “This mission is classified and urgent. He didn’t want to worry you, so he stayed silent. 

“While he’s away, his Holoband is off. No contact with the outside world.” 

“Is it dangerous?” Ava asked, concern creeping in. 

Jonathan’s gaze softened. “Asher may act foolish sometimes, but he’s talented. Don’t worry too much.” 

Their conversation ended shortly after Yara arrived at the Morren Residence. 

Ava immediately noticed Yara’s black mourning dress. A white flower, used for rituals and offerings and called the Widow’s Tear, was tucked by her ear. 

Ava hadn’t expected Yara to attend as a “widow.” 

Jonathan told Ava, “Go with Yara to see your grandpa. I won’t be coming.” 

Ava helped Yara into the hovercar, and they set off for the Morren family cemetery. 

The sky was heavy with gray clouds. The cemetery lay in quiet stillness. 

Ava guided Yara to Patrick’s grave. His name was engraved on the stone, and a photo from his youth rested at the center–him in a flight suit, smiling brightly. 

Yara stood before the gravestone, lost in the image. She reached out, gently brushing it. “I never thought the next time I’d see you would be at your grave.” 

She placed a basket of white chrysanthemums at the foot of the stone, then carefully arranged a small box of pastries. “I made these myself. Too bad you can’t taste them. You always joked that me in the kitchen was a disaster waiting to happen, that I’d blow the place up. So you’d cook. At that moment, I was thinking to myself, how dare you underestimate me like this? 

“I know you’ve got a sweet tooth, even if you never admit it. These chestnut cakes are your favorite. It took me ages to get them just right.” 

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