In Love, Never Say Never

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I couldn’t help but stare at my babies in the stroller. The pain in my heart intensified.

I wasn’t scared of death itself, but the thought of its imminent approach frightened me because it meant that I wouldn’t be able to watch my children grow.

If only God could hear my prayers and just give me a couple more years to live.

Since the kidnapping of his child, John had upgraded the security system in his home. He ran extensive background checks on all of his staff, making sure that strangers could not infiltrate the Stovall residence again. This way, everyone in the house could finally let down their guard.

A week after my return, I caught wind that Rose had given birth. Since Nick and Rose had always treated me like their older sister, I knew I had to visit her.

Emma tagged along on my visit to the hospital.

“The baby’s so pretty. He looks just like you.” Rose’s son was born after a nine-month-long pregnancy, and he appeared much healthier than my twins. I was genuinely pleased for her.

“Thank you,” Rose rasped weakly as she sat against the headboard. She was being tended by an older lady who appeared to be the Harrisons’ maid.

“Is Nick still busy with work?” I asked.

Rose lowered her head as she bit her lips in acquiescence.

This seemed to invoke the anger of Rose’s caretaker. She snapped, “No matter how busy he was, he should at least be there when his wife is giving birth. Mr. Harrison’s really too much.”

“Margaret…” Rose interrupted Margaret’s rants to no avail.

“You know I’m right. Mr. Harrison took one look at the baby and hasn’t come by again since. He didn’t even arrange for someone to take care of you after the delivery and you had to beg me for help. Why must you speak up for Mr. Harrison when he’s mistreating you like this? I watched you grow up, my dear… I can’t let them bully you like this!”

It almost seemed as if she might add me to her rants as well.

Nick had always been an organized person, so I couldn’t believe how careless he was when it came to Rose’s delivery. He really crossed the line this time.

“Rose, is she telling the truth? That Nick is neglecting you and your son for his work?” I’ve always had a great impression of Rose, so I was on her side in this ordeal. At the same time, I wanted to clarify some misconceptions in case I got the wrong idea about the situation.

“No, of course not.” Rose gave me a weak smile before continuing, “Margaret just misunderstood the situation. She’s been taking care of me since I was young, and I would feel uncomfortable if I had to deal with another stranger. That’s why I brought her here from the Walker residence. It has nothing to do with Nick.”

“Mrs. Harrison…” Margaret appeared to have more to say, but she zipped her lips under Rose’s stern glare.

“Scarlett, let’s not talk about me. What about you? I heard you gave birth to a pair of twins! I’m so jealous right now.”

It was obvious that she was trying to change the topic. Since Rose didn’t want to talk about Nick anymore, I followed her lead and progressed to safer topics.

As I was waiting for the elevator after leaving Rose’s ward, I heard a visible sigh from Emma.

“What are you sighing about?” I asked with a laugh.

“Can’t I sigh? I just think that being a woman is a tough job,” Emma explained.

“Why do you say that, Mrs. Stovall?” I teased her as we entered the elevator.

Emma and John’s relationship was still on tenterhooks. As such, she was always surprised whenever she was addressed as Mrs. Stovall.

As I Mrs. Bauman expected, her easygoing demeanor disappeared into a frown at my words. “Mrs. Fuller, can you drop that title?”

I laughed as I pressed the button on the elevator. “I didn’t know you’d be so easy to tease.”

“Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you, I won’t hang out with you anymore.” Emma made a gesture of turning her head away.

“Ok, ok, I won’t joke at your expense anymore. Come on, at least tell me why you don’t want to be known as Mrs. Stovall?” I rearranged my face into a serious expression before asking my question.

“Why wouldn’t I mind? Just look at Rose. Nick obviously dumped her but she’s still defending him. It’s almost as if our only job as women is to satisfy a man’s wishes. What a tiring way to live.” Emma sighed.

I didn’t agree with her statement. “To be fair, what if Nick’s really stuck in an impossible situation at work? Rose’s only making excuses for Nick because she loves him. I don’t think it’s a matter of men or women at all. It’s being in love that’s exhausting.”

In love, never say never chapter 1257

This seemed to strike a chord with Emma. She remained in silent contemplation for the entire duration of our elevator ride.

“Hey Emma, we’re here.” She jolted from her thoughts at my gentle reminder, and she left the elevator in a jog.

“Thanks for the reminder. I almost got caught between the doors.” Emma patted her chest in relief before she suggested, “Since we haven’t been out in a while, shall we go shopping? We can visit the mall.”

I remembered Summer’s pleas for some new stationery, and I agreed. Women were born shopaholics. The impulse to shop sustained itself on the never-ending introduction of newer products to the market.

I had initially planned on visiting the kids’ section, but Emma had different ideas. She dragged me into a luxury goods store once we reached the mall. She tried on no fewer than ten outfits but wasn’t impressed by any of them.

“This set looks good. John would like it.” Bored, I decided to tease her a little.

“I didn’t say I was wearing this for him.” Her lips had hardened into a flat line, but she was obviously checking herself out in the mirror. I could tell from her eyes that she was imagining John’s amazement at her appearance.

men that they love. I guess this

smiled to myself but didn’t call her out

was now in the upper echelons of K City society, but his stylists couldn’t keep up with his image requirements. They always dressed him in formal suits. While his build and features could easily carry off such a get-up, it made him

my eye. Just as I was thinking about hiring a dedicated fashion designer for Ashton, I spied an impressive sample display

stopped as I rummaged for my phone. The number seemed familiar, but I couldn’t recall who the caller was

saw an elegant-looking lady summoning a salesperson to help her pack up the outfit

guess I was just

fit

Stovall, it’s me.” Zander’s Koandrian accent

called you back. I’ve

ok. I’m calling you now to remind you about it. I hope you didn’t forget how I made a grand promise to my superiors to keep a precious talent in our apprenticeship program. They even agreed to keep your slot even

was a front

chose not to call him out on his attitude. I confirmed my participation as well as the reporting time and date for my

I thought back to the outfit I had seen, feeling a tinge of regret at the

a poor mood, curious

for the outfit, though, my heart

had just come over as well, and her eyes followed my

mine. She took in a few deep

utter disbelief as he entered the elevator, holding hands with a

By chance, he

this nightmare. I must be seeing things, right?” Emma’s jaw

my emotions

envy of many. Emma herself was always going on and on about Hunter’s penchant for romance and humor. What we had seen today was a huge blow

say never chapter

should be reflecting on my taste in clothes. If Ashton’s wearing the same suit as

from someone was nowhere near as difficult as pretending nothing was wrong in

typically spent an entire day at

liars. We exchanged looks and prepared

just settled down in a cafe when Hunter showed

towering height. He then started walking toward

her seat and sat on a chair directly

in the past typically behaved in a stiff, panicky,

confident and cultured charm of a university professor. His courteous exchange with the waiter almost made our meeting seem like a casual get-together rather than a

all fooled

coffee was served, Hunter looked at the cup for a moment before lifting his gaze to us. Upon seeing my impatient gaze, he spoke sheepishly. “You

didn’t ask

directly at me and said, “I’ll talk to

to tell her?”

took a deep breath and adjusted

I hope you keep your promise, Professor Zane, or you’ll lose whatever little

countless times in the past, but the action merely disgusted me now. I placed a few bills on the table to cover the cost

the way home, my emotions were in

I couldn’t understand how that woman

of the literati, love is but a cheap commodity to be discarded

but there

toward me and dragged me toward the dining

before we sat

on my other side. She nudged my elbow gently and asked, “Where did you two go? You didn’t reply to my WhatsApp messages either. Was there an

I glossed over her question, pretending I

an easygoing person to begin with, so she dropped

Clink!

wineglass with a

taught me many valuable lessons!” Louis was the picture of a natural leader as he raised his voice before continuing, “Most importantly, I’ve learned that steering clear of others doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll remain unscathed. I’ve always been proud of my morals, yet I never expected to be a victim of sabotage, let alone dragging my own grandchildren into this mess. I’ve disappointed my own family

promise not to put

first day of my apprenticeship, John insisted on

say never chapter

of the office. I took off my seatbelt and was about to alight from the

a valet-like fashion, he completed his act by offering his hand to assist me out of the car. He teased, “Ms.

are you joking around? I’m

undertake a year-long apprenticeship to obtain a license to practice. Within this year, I would need to

be one soon enough. I need to

with Emma. I don’t know why you’re playing games with her when you’re

brow at me before stuttering, “Y-You… Hey, you’re going to be late! You should go in now, go

as he pushed me into the revolving doors of the building. He smiled mischievously at

the reception, I was brought to Zander’s office. “Mr. Hoffman is in a meeting now.

smiled in acknowledgment. I looked around the office casually after the

to Zander was barely a hundred square feet. There were two desks in his office. While the decor was decent, it was a far cry from what I

minutes later, the door opened from the outside.

I greeted with