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.”

of enjoying the quality of

I would not leave just yet, not before I

up the tea cup 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

still ends up in the same place. I

tea

of the tea between big gulps and small sips. However, to get him off my back, I

the show I put on. “Not

a sigh of relief and fixed my gaze at

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

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

married woman. I can offer you money if that’s what you’re after. In addition, if you manage to save

chortle as he replied, “This bargaining chip is quite attractive indeed. However, that box is not the most urgent matter to my family. Right now, you’re what I

that I had come all the

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

lips

point. “Okay, fine. There’s no point going down that road again. Now, why don’t you do me a favor, and I’ll let you know how to replace your daughter’s

“What’s your condition?”

devil, one has to be prepared to

before he suddenly blurted, “Stay here to have dinner with us and be on

I asked

our door and turned around to find a middle-aged woman walking toward us. Her otherwise elegant and

staff that you brought a friend here. Is this

the man’s face instantly replaced with that of warmth and tenderness. He stood up and spoke in the most respectful manner I had

love, never say

and turned to Armond. “You should have informed me earlier that we’re expecting a guest so

then walked toward me and asked kindly, “You must be hungry now. What would you like for

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

me before she headed out to get

of malevolent reappeared in Armond’s eyes. “Cooperate with me,

pursed my lips and asked, “She’s

she has been hoping that I’ll get married and settle down with a family. When she comes back, just go with whatever she says and don’t you try to

worry. It’s you that I despise. Unlike you, I won’t lay a finger on a sick person. I’m not a

not well?” he asked with his brow

is too pale for a

make sure you’re on

at the certifiably treacherous man before me and lost in thoughts for a brief moment. I remember having read somewhere that stipulates that the more wickedly evil the person is, the easier it is to search for his soft spot. No one can be categorically judged as good

am I supposed to address

lips while watching

my brows, I decided to ignore

With an apron still wrapped around her

smiled and nodded. “We’ll be there in

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

eyes, I stood up and left

this was not the most spacious cafe bistro in town, every little corner of this place gave off the sense of more money being

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

me while she sat down beside me. “Armond should have told me earlier that you’re visiting today. Please forgive me for the simple dishes tonight. I’ll prepare something more to

shook my head and smiled in return. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Murphy.

his mother asked him some questions, to which

plate, but refrained from doing so, thinking that she only meant well. Since I was pregnant, I figured I should probably increase my intake of food

churn uncomfortably just after a few bites. I

into the washroom to check up on me. “Is everything okay? Are you feeling sick?

shook my head and smiled faintly, “I’m alright, just feeling a

flashed across her face. “Are you expecting? How far are you along? Have

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

thin lines from smiling. She led me out of the washroom and helped me to the table while rambling, “These dishes are not suitable for someone who’s pregnant. You wait here and

woman was about to head back to the kitchen when I tried to grab firmly onto her arm. “Mrs. Murphy, there really is

open my hand while still smiling merrily. “It’s ok, darling. I’m just so happy I want to cook something else for you and baby.

say

he waited till she went into

phone, ignoring his cold stare. Ashton was asking about my whereabouts. Worried that he would overanalyze, I merely replied

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

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

by my sarcasm. “Does Ashton

torn

I couldn’t sit there any

a lovely smile carrying a bowl of soup. “Scarlett, please have more of this soup.

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

a few more sips, I thanked her, “Thank

ask Armond 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