Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 2807

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 2807

Andrew looked at her, half-giggling, half-stunned. Valerie—who had always been loud, stubborn, and impossible to reason with—was suddenly so gentle and attentive that he froze. He genuinely didn’t know how to respond.

If this had been any other moment, her help wouldn’t have meant much. But now, with his injuries this severe, he had relied on her completely just to make it all the way up Mount Lourneau. To him, her help felt like a life-saving debt. How was he supposed to repay that?

Andrew stayed silent, but he wasn’t oblivious to why Valerie treated him this way.

It was obvious—it was because of the feelings between a man and a woman. As he wondered whether he should keep rejecting her and pretending not to notice, he realized he simply couldn’t.

“What are you thinking about?” Valerie asked. When she saw him zoning out, her face instantly went pale. She whispered, “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about Luna… or all your other women?”

Andrew lifted his head and looked at her without saying a word.

Valerie clenched her teeth, hurt and furious, and snapped, “If you’re thinking about them, then I’ll leave! But don’t worry—I won’t abandon you. When we get back to Chetvine, I’ll have Luna come take care of you herself!”

Andrew tried to raise his hand, but his strength failed him. Seeing this, Valerie’s eyes reddened as she rushed over. “What do you want to do? Tell me—I’ll help you!”

He shook his head and gave a tired smile. “I don’t want to do anything. I just wanted to wipe your tears. Valerie, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

She pursed her lips. “What is it? If it’s the same old question, forget it. I don’t need to report to you, and I don’t owe you any explanations.”

Andrew spoke softly. “No. I just want to know why you’re treating me like this. We haven’t even known each other that long. The first time we met was at your family’s auction house, right? That didn’t go well at all. Then, when I went after Jaden, you blocked me, and I was even more—”

“Even more shameless!” Valerie cut in angrily. “You stripped me and touched me, didn’t you? Back then, I swore you deserved to die, and that I would definitely get revenge!”

Andrew let out a quiet laugh. “But you never did.”

Instead, you became my friend. And now you’re taking care of me with everything you’ve got. “Valerie,” he asked softly, “why? What is all this for?”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I don’t know. When you left Chetvine, I panicked so badly it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. But my dad wouldn’t let me get involved in Mr. Vazquez’s mess. He said someone like me stepping in would be no different from suicide.”

Her voice trembled. “I was terrified. But I was even more afraid that something would happen to you. In the end, I told myself that if I died, then so be it.”

She continued, “I ran out of Chetvine without thinking about anything except finding you. Andrew, do you remember what I told you before? I said I hated you.”

Valerie looked at him with tears in her eyes. “You didn’t hear it wrong, and I wasn’t saying it for drama. Even now… I still hate you.”

She turned her head away and quietly wiped her tears.

Andrew felt a sharp ache in his chest, and his voice softened further. “Valerie, don’t cry. If you hate me, then why would you—”

“Why would I still risk everything to take care of you?” she cut in fiercely. “Because seeing you like this hurts me. It hurts more than if I were the one injured! Andrew, after everything, do you seriously not know why?”

Seeing her on the verge of breaking down filled Andrew with guilt. “Alright. I admit it—I was being stupid. I know how you feel now. I understand everything.”

Valerie’s heart trembled. She whispered, “And then what? Are you going to think I’m too stubborn, not as good as Luna, and distance yourself from me? Even if I’m taking care of you right now, will you still think I’m not enough?”

Andrew shook his head and answered firmly, “No. Right now, I think you’re great. More than great. Once we leave Mount Lourneau, let’s be together.”

Valerie froze, stunned. Then, in the next second, she burst into tears, crying loudly, “Andrew, I still hate you!” She gave him a light punch on the chest and added, “But I like you even more. Do you hear me? I like you. I don’t even know when it started, but I stopped being myself—and it’s all because of you.”

Andrew’s heart tightened. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he couldn’t even move.

All he could feel was the weight on his shoulders growing heavier. After all, he had somehow gained another woman who cared deeply about him.

And as the saying went, a messy love life always came with a price.