Chapter 110: Natural hot spring
The drive back was unusually quiet.
Elena silently watched the scenery blur past. Her thoughts remained occupied by Vivian.
Her pride, her obsession, and her unwillingness to let Elias go disturbed Elena.
’Why is she so stubborn? Why can’t she just let him go?’
Elias stole several glances at her. The silence made him increasingly uneasy. Finally, he pulled the car over by the roadside.
The sudden stop pulled Elena out of her thoughts. She turned toward him in confusion.
"Why did you stop?" A hint of concern immediately crossed her face. "Are you not feeling well?"
Elias smiled helplessly. "You are worried about me? You’ve barely spoken since we left the riding arena. I can tell something is bothering you."
He searched her eyes. "Is it Vivian?"
Elena lowered her gaze without answering. Her silence was answer enough.
Afraid she had misunderstood his relationship with Vivian, Elias hurriedly explained, "Elena, trust me. I have no feelings for her."
He spoke so quickly that it almost sounded as though he feared losing her.
"Vivian was spoiled by her parents ever since she was little. Whatever she wanted was handed to her before she even asked. She grew up believing she could have anything she desired. So now..."
He sighed softly. "She doesn’t know how to accept rejection."
Elena quietly looked at him before the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile. "It sounds like you know her very well."
Elias’s heart sank. His expression stiffened. "It’s not what you are thinking. We grew up together. I’ve watched her parents indulge her since childhood. They loved her so much that they never let her experience disappointment. They are the reason she became so spoiled."
He shook his head helplessly. "She is childish, impulsive, and reckless. But the people most responsible are her parents."
At the mention of Vivian’s parents, Elena’s smile slowly faded. Her thoughts drifted to her mother.
’She abandoned me... Yet she gave Vivian all the love I never received. Why?’
Bitterness tightened her chest.
’I’m her daughter too. Why couldn’t she love me? Why did she leave me behind?’
She clenched her fists on her lap.
Elias, unaware of her thoughts, continued, "But if Vivian ever dares to hurt you, I won’t spare her. I don’t care about family ties anymore. I’ll make her pay."
His determination warmed Elena’s heart. The heaviness inside her slowly faded.
"I know." A small smile appeared on her lips. "I trust you."
The moment he heard those words, Elias broke into a broad smile.
"So..." His eyes lit up. "You are not angry with me?"
Elena blinked in confusion.
"Angry?" She raised an eyebrow. "Why would I be angry with you?"
"You’ve been so quiet." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You looked upset. I thought it was because I accepted Vivian’s challenge."
Elena reached over and placed her hand gently over his.
"I’m not angry." She paused, turning her gaze toward the passing scenery outside the window. "I was just... worried."
After a brief silence, she continued, "Vivian was so desperate to win that she scared your horse. She’s obsessed with you. I feel like she’ll do anything to get what she wants."
She turned back to him, concern filling her eyes.
"I’m afraid..."
"Don’t be." Elias interrupted gently before she could finish.
"She won’t succeed. And if she dares to cross the line again, I won’t let her get away with it."
He wasn’t merely trying to reassure her. He meant every word.
Seeing the unwavering determination in his eyes, the uneasiness in Elena’s heart gradually melted away. She nodded.
Elias gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Stop thinking about her. We came here to enjoy ourselves."
A warm smile slowly bloomed across Elena’s face. "As long as I’m with you, I’m happy."
"Then it’s my job to make every moment we spend together unforgettable." He restarted the engine. "We’ve already enjoyed horseback riding. Now, it’s time to relax."
There it was again—that mysterious smile.
Elena’s heart skipped a beat. "Where are you taking me this time?" she asked curiously.
He glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road. "Somewhere you’ll be able to relax."
Elena smiled helplessly. She knew there was no point in asking any further. She would simply have to wait and see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The road gradually left the bustling city behind.
Towering mountains rose on both sides, their emerald slopes blanketed with towering pine trees. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, scattering patches of golden light across the winding road.
The crisp mountain air drifted through the open windows, carrying the refreshing scent of damp earth, wildflowers, and fresh pine.
After nearly half an hour, Elias slowed the car to a stop before an exquisitely crafted wooden gate.
Beyond it lay a secluded valley hidden deep within the mountains.
Elena stepped out of the car and immediately stopped. Her eyes widened in amazement. Before her stretched a breathtaking natural hot spring.
She turned to Elias. "What is this place?"
A knowing smile played on his lips. "You’ll find out soon."
Holding her hand, he led her through the gate. As they walked farther inside, the magnificent spring gradually revealed itself.
Crystal-clear water shimmered beneath the afternoon sun. Smooth, weathered rocks surrounded the spring.
Colorful wildflowers bloomed between the stones, while tall maple trees stretched their branches over the pools.
A thin veil of mist drifted lazily across the water, giving the entire place a dreamlike beauty.
Nearby, a gentle stream trickled down the hillside, feeding the spring with fresh mountain water. The murmur of the flowing stream was soothing.
It felt as though they had stepped into a secret paradise, far away from the noise and chaos of the outside world.
Elena stood rooted to the spot. "Wow..."
The breathtaking scenery stole every word from her lips. A radiant smile slowly spread across her face.
"It’s... so beautiful."
Her sparkling eyes wandered from the steaming pool to the flowing stream, then to the colorful flowers blooming among the rocks, unable to decide what to admire first.
"I’ve never been somewhere like this."
She slowly approached the water’s edge, mesmerized as the warm steam rose toward the clear blue sky.
"I’ve only heard about natural hot springs." She laughed softly. "I never imagined I’d actually get to see one."
She reached out, letting the warm mist brush gently across her fingertips. "It’s so peaceful. So relaxing. I love this place."
Her smile was bright, genuine, and completely unguarded.
Watching the childlike wonder shining in her eyes, Elias couldn’t help smiling too. He hadn’t brought her here simply to soak in a hot spring. He wanted to give her a day free from worries, where she could forget every burden she carried, where her smile belonged only to happiness.
Seeing her beam with such genuine joy filled his heart with satisfaction. His gaze softened without him realizing it.
"As long as you are smiling," he murmured almost under his breath, "bringing you here was worth it."
Elena turned just in time to catch the tenderness in his eyes. "Did you say something?" she asked curiously.
Elias shook his head. "Nothing."
He walked over to stand beside her. "So..." A playful smile tugged at his lips. "Do you like my surprise?"
Elena looked at the steaming spring once more before turning back to him. "I don’t just like it." She slipped her hand into his. "I absolutely love it."
Those simple words warmed Elias’s heart. To him, there was no treasure more precious than her happiness.
"How about we try it?" he asked softly, leaning a little closer.
Elena’s cheeks instantly flushed pink at the suggestive note. She longed to slip into the warm water. But it was still an open place.
She hesitated. "Right here?" She glanced around cautiously. "What if someone sees us?"
"Relax," Elias said with a reassuring smile. "I reserved the entire hot spring for today. No one will come here to disturb us."
"What?" She stared at him in astonishment. "The entire place?"
Her eyes swept across the vast valley once again. The hot spring stretched across a wide area.
’He reserved all of this... just for the two of us? It must have cost him a fortune.’
She was speechless.
Seeing her stunned expression, Elias chuckled. "Why are you so surprised?" He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "This is nothing."
His eyes softened. "If it makes you happy, it’s worth every penny."
Elena looked up at him, warmth overflowing in her heart. "But my happiness isn’t in expensive places or lavish surprises."
She intertwined her fingers with his. "As long as you are with me, I’m already happy. I don’t need luxurious gifts. All I want... is you."
Her heartfelt confession tugged at something deep inside him. Warmth spread through his chest, sweet and comforting, filling every corner of his heart. His eyes softened with affection.
"And you’ll always have me."
The moment those words left his lips, he slipped an arm around her waist and drew her into his embrace. Before she could react, he lowered his head and captured her lips in a tender kiss.