In Love, Never Say Never

Cameron looked at me with her eyes widened in intense fear. “My dear, you can’t be seriously considering it! These organs, they are all harvested with illegal means!”

“Mom, that’s not what I meant. I’m just trying to figure out where Dad could be heading that’s all. Whatever leads he has right now, we have to discuss this matter together before deciding what to do.”

She nodded, but her body did not stop trembling.

When Cameron was calmer and more collected, she started to analyze the situation, “Your father had washed his hands off this business many years ago. But starting a few days ago, he’s been secretly contacting a few of his old buddies regarding this matter. I overheard from his conversations that the black market, as well as the operations, are only carried out in A City. So, your dad must be on his way to the airport to fly over there and meet with the dealer.”

Upon hearing which, I made another phone call to Ashton for him to intercept Zachary at the airport. I turned to Cameron and asked, “Who else knows about this?”

She shook her head. “Just the two of us. I didn’t want him to take the risk. If found out, our whole family will be done for.”

Sensing that my silence might mean otherwise, Cameron tried to probe, “Scarlett, tell me, if your father found both compatible bone marrow and kidney for Summer, would you have agreed to it?”

Her question was loaded with massive moral conundrums; my head was filled with many questions to which I didn’t have immediate answers. I lowered my head to look at my phone, at a loss for words.

Cameron grew more anxious as she grabbed onto my arm and said grievously, “My dear, listen to me, you can’t do this. Summer is such an adorable kid and we all love her dearly. But you can’t gamble your future with this matter. It would have been okay if this only involves me and your father, since we’ve had our share of lives at this age. But things are different for you and Ashton. You’re finally expecting another child and you still have a long way to go. As for Summer, we may just have to accept that this is her destiny. Please promise me you won’t make a rash decision on this.”

Cameron’s concerns were valid, and anyone with a sound logic should arrive at the same conclusion. However, I had long regarded Summer as my own daughter, so the only logical sense as a mother was to save my daughter by whatever means necessary.

I looked at her and sighed. “Mom, Summer is my daughter. There’s no way I’ll give up on her. If the dealer manages to find a donor from a clean source, why can’t we give Summer a chance to live?”

Cameron’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you out of your mind? There’s no way that kind of things will be clean!”

I knew there was no way that I could sway her mind right now, but I couldn’t help but imagine a scenario where someone passed on from an accident and we could offer a sum of money to her family. It would not have brought her life back, but in a way, parts of her spirit got to live on. The concept of organ donation at death might sound cruel to some people, but if the alternative for the body was to be cremated, leaving nothing but ashes behind, why not let them save another life?

“Mom, let’s not talk about this right now. Can you please keep Summer company while I try to locate Dad and talk to him?” It’s too early to dismiss any remote chance Summer may have.

Cameron did not sound fully convinced. “My dear, whatever you do, please be mindful of the potential consequences they may have on both our families. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I do.”

I left the hospital and tried to reach Ashton by phone, but it was engaged. I then attempted to call Zachary’s number, also to no avail. I was feeling rather helpless when my phone rang.

Seeing Armond’s name on my caller ID only made me feel more frustrated. My tone was more than agitated when I answered his call, “What do you want?”

Instead of being offended, an audible laugh rang from the other end of the line as the man spoke, “Sensing from your impatient tone, I suppose you ran into some trouble. Why don’t you come and have a chat with me? I may be able to cheer you up.”

“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll hang up now.” My patience was running thin for this pervert.

He sighed and said, “Hold on a second, I was told that Zachary is on his way to A City. I’m wondering whether that’s because Jared’s bone marrow is not compatible with Summer’s. If that’s the case, then I suppose he’s heading toward A City to search for…”

The man had now successfully riled me up. “Armond Murphy, what kind of a sicko are you? And what do you want from me?”

“I just told you, I may have some information that’s useful to you so that your daughter will stop suffering from chemotherapy.” His tone suddenly took on a serious note, “There’s no need to dismiss me just yet. I know exactly what you’re looking for and I may even have means to secure some for you. So, what do you say about meeting up?”

I paused for a brief moment to ponder on his words. Maybe what he said wasn’t all bullsh*t.

“Fine. I can meet you up.”

In love, never say never chapter 967

He seemed to be smiling approvingly when he replied, “I thought you were going to reject me again. Great, I’ll send you the address after this. Don’t be late, or I’ll be sad.”

After hanging up the call, I tried Ashton’s number again. Finally, he answered the phone and there were some traffic noises from his end.

“Ashton, is everything okay over there?”

“I’m stuck in traffic.” Ashton sounded a little flustered. “But don’t you worry; I’ve managed to make contact with Mr. Moore. He promised that he won’t be making the trip to A City for now.”

I heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s great. Can you please take him to the hospital later? I’ll call Mom right now to let her know.”

I gave Cameron a quick update on the phone before receiving a text message with the address where I was supposed to meet Armond.

The address was not far from where I was so I decided to take a cab there.

I arrived at the address to find a cafe bistro that actually resembled more of a private residence. I almost missed the entrance until a waiter greeted me and led me inside.

Armond was already waiting for me in a private room. Dressed in a casual blue sweater, his jacket was draped over a chair next to him as the heater was turned on in the room. Upon my arrival, his lips curled up in a faint smile as he spoke, “Have a seat. Try some of the Earl Grey tea here.”

Biting my lips, I took a seat across from him as he slowly poured hot water into his tea pot. After which, he slid a tea cup in front of me and said gracefully, “Smell the aroma from the tea leaves.”

I took the cup and placed it under my nose to take a whiff. It did smell fresh and earthy. I put down the cup and said, “It’s aromatic.”

He kept smiling. “Very tasteful.”

His relaxed manner in tea making was in direct contrast to the anxiousness I was feeling all day. Sensing he was in no hurry at all to disclose his real intention, I finally broke the silence, “Armond, I don’t have all the time in the world to enjoy tea with you.”

his mood. He scorned me and said, “I live life in pursuit of enjoying the quality of the finer

would not leave just yet, not before

and downed the drink in one big gulp. His condescending voice rang in front of me as I did so, “You ought to savour good tea in small sips,

the cup and stared at him. “It still ends up in the same

poured another cup of tea from his pot and grunted, “Drink and taste it

person to begin with; not to mention differentiating the taste of the tea between big gulps and small sips.

satisfied with the show I put on. “Not

a sigh of relief and

man drank the last of his tea elegantly before he commented, “This is

fell on me while his lips curled up in a smirk. “Am

into a knot as I tried to contain the mounting rage in my chest. “You already know that I’m a married woman. I can offer you money if that’s what you’re after. In addition, if you manage

is quite attractive indeed. However, that box is not

stood up, thinking that I had come

are we going to be together when you’re so impatient?” The content of his words could pass for something a boyfriend would say to his

lips

road again. Now, why don’t you do me a favor, and I’ll let you know how to replace your daughter’s faulty

“What’s your condition?”

deal with the devil, one has to be prepared to go to

I was losing patience before he suddenly blurted, “Stay here to have dinner with us

asked while

I heard a quick knock on our door and turned around to find a middle-aged woman walking toward us. Her otherwise elegant and

the counter staff that you brought a friend here. Is this she?” the

instantly replaced with that of warmth and tenderness. He stood up and spoke in the most respectful manner I had ever heard, “News travels fast, Mom. She just got here minutes

love, never say

out a friendly chuckle and turned to Armond. “You should have informed me earlier that we’re expecting a guest so I can be

“You must be hungry now. What would you like

a brief moment and shot Armond a quick glance. He was now looking at me with his darkened expression, causing me to

more pleasantries with me before she headed out

reappeared in Armond’s eyes. “Cooperate with me, and I’ll tell you

my lips and asked,

and settle down with a family. When she comes back, just go with whatever she

I won’t lay a finger on a sick person. I’m not

did you know she’s not well?”

Her complexion is too pale for a normal,

you’re on your

it is to search for his soft spot. No one can be categorically judged as good

how am I supposed to

his lips while watching me. “Well,

I

our door again. With an apron still

be there in just

and narrowed his eyes slightly as he reminded, “Again, know your place,

eyes, I stood up

spacious cafe bistro in town, every little corner of this place gave off the sense of more money

sunflowers on our table from afar and thought it to be a plastic flower bouquet. But as I came closer to it I was surprised to see that they were real flowers. Sunflowers are definitely not in season right now. How on earth is he able to secure some fresh

you’re visiting today. Please forgive me for the simple dishes tonight. I’ll prepare something more to your liking

in return. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Murphy.

to which he provided very short answers.

her from stacking more food on my plate, but refrained from doing so, thinking that she only meant well. Since I

started to churn uncomfortably just after

okay? Are you feeling

pregnancy, I shook my head and

across her face. “Are you expecting? How far

rattled off and finally decided to tell her the truth, “It’s been two months now. I haven’t experienced much morning

smiling. She led me out of the washroom and helped me to the table while rambling, “These dishes are not suitable for someone

tried to grab firmly onto her arm. “Mrs. Murphy, there really is no need to trouble you. I’m completely

ok, darling. I’m just so happy I want to cook something else

never say

mother’s grumbling, so he waited till

my head to look at my phone, ignoring his cold stare. Ashton was asking about my whereabouts. Worried that

right after I replied, then stared at me with a scowl. “Play your role well while you’re here. Are you

line, and I glared at him as if he was a maniac. “Don’t you have a girlfriend? Why didn’t you bring Nora? Right! I almost forgot people like you don’t deserve her. Good thing you didn’t bring her here and give her some useless

my sarcasm. “Does

mother, I would’ve torn him up into

giving me a spine-chilling stare. I couldn’t sit there any further, just as I

this soup. It’s good for you. I loved it so much when I was pregnant

of soup placed in front of me. The fight I had with Armond had made me lost my appetite, but I could

her, “Thank you so much, Mrs. Murphy! It’s

to send it to you. Please come and visit me often. Armond was busy all year round, so I didn’t have anyone to talk to. When you have your baby, my place would be all the