In Love, Never Say Never

“Are you saying that you’ve never tried to find out what happened to Macy back then?” I asked. My heart ached for Macy. If Jared really cared about her, why didn’t he even try?

The obvious answer was that he didn’t care. Otherwise, Jared wouldn’t have given up just like that. Not only had he never tried to look for Macy, he never even asked after her.

It made me even more fearful of handing Summer over to Jared.

He remained silent, biting his lip.

I’d calmed down. Looking at Jared’s troubled face, I vowed, “No matter what the Crests have planned for Summer, I will never give her up to you.”

I then stalked the rest of the way back to the table.

Ashton had been engaged in casual chit-chat with Joe. When he said me, he reached out in concern and asked, “What took you so long?”

“It’s nothing. Have you finished eating already?” We’d all gathered here today under the pretext of having dinner, but nobody had taken more than a few bites.

Ashton continued looking at me. “You’re not hungry?”

I shook my head vigorously. “Nope.”

Upon hearing this, Ashton pushed back his chair and stood up. Politely, he said to Joe, “It’s getting late. We’ll get going then.”

Obvious displeasure was written all over Joe’s face. He demanded, “Didn’t we agree to this get-together? Are you leaving before we’ve even gotten to say anything?”

was smoking near the door.

the car. “Ashton, do you think it’s right for me to keep Summer with

car. In a mellow voice, he asked, “Did Jared say

shook my head. “I just feel that whatever I do for her won’t be good enough,

the villa. But what would I tell an innocent child of four, five years old? What could she

right. Summer would leave

this? Let Summer and the Crests get to acknowledge each other, but she continues to stay with

bigger family and more love showered upon her.

before replying uncertainly, “Can

my hesitation for agreement. “Of course!” he

saw Ashton and me enter, she came running and flew into his arms. At her age, she was already rather adept at turning on the

something for you!” Summer announced,

contain his laughter, Ashton

the palm of her hand. It was all very obvious

“Give me

encased in

Children often

over to the sofa. Patiently, he asked, “Why did you suddenly want to give

to her aunt when they

at her last sentence and halted immediately, turning to look at the

made