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.

will always doll themselves up for men that they love. I guess this saying holds even

smiled to myself but didn’t call her out on her behavior. I walked to the

They always dressed him in formal suits.

Just as I was thinking about hiring a dedicated fashion designer for Ashton, I spied an impressive sample display in the distance. I picked up my pace as I walked toward the

phone in my purse began ringing. I stopped as I rummaged for my phone. The number

a salesperson

guess I was

the call in a fit of

me.” Zander’s Koandrian accent gave

the apprenticeship. “I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I’ve been

grand promise to my superiors to keep a precious talent in our apprenticeship program. They even agreed to keep your slot even though you

a front

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

the outfit I had seen, feeling a tinge of

poor mood, curious about the person who had snagged such a

saw the couple paying for the outfit, though, my heart

come over as well, and her eyes followed my gaze.

than mine. She took in a few deep breaths to

eyes followed Hunter in utter disbelief as he entered the elevator, holding hands with a mysterious lady as he held a large shopping bag

seemed that Hunter felt a twinge of guilt at his actions. By chance, he glanced in our direction and met our stares. Awkwardness

I must be seeing

my emotions

relationship had always been the envy of many. Emma herself was always going on and on about Hunter’s penchant for romance and

never say never

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

nowhere near as difficult as pretending nothing was wrong in front

these few days. She brought Xavier along with her on her daily visits, and she typically spent an entire day at our house. Before Emma and I had even left the mall, we were bombarded by a slew of WhatsApp messages

terrible liars. We exchanged looks and prepared to stay out until

settled down in

found us easily thanks to his towering height.

gave up her seat and sat on a chair directly next

cheating men that I had encountered in the past typically behaved in a stiff, panicky, or furious manner. I had never seen one as

university professor. His courteous exchange with the waiter almost made our

guess we were all fooled by

lifting his gaze to us. Upon seeing my impatient gaze, he spoke sheepishly. “You saw everything just

ask any

his coffee. He stared directly at me and said,

you going to tell her?”

took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses. He answered resignedly,

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

had pushed his glasses up his nose bridge countless times in the past, but the action merely disgusted me now. I placed a few bills on the table to

way home, my emotions were

what I could see, I couldn’t understand how that woman was better than Emery. Yet

literati, love is but a cheap commodity to be discarded once it has run its

seven at night. We thought Emery had left, but there was a hubbub in the living room when we walked

me and dragged me toward

a look with Emma before we sat down at the

my elbow gently and asked, “Where did you two go? You didn’t

you about it later.” I glossed over her question, pretending I couldn’t talk about it

had always been an easygoing person to begin

Clink!

on his wineglass with

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.

not to put my family in harm’s way again. I vow to spend the rest of my days getting

apprenticeship, John

say never

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

his act by offering his

in his. “Why are you joking around? I’m just a legal apprentice, not a

to obtain a license to practice. Within this year, I would need

be one soon enough. I need

know

you’re going to be late! You should

a chance to retort as he pushed me into the revolving doors of the building. He smiled mischievously at me after forcing me into the lobby. I couldn’t tell if he had taken any of

registered at the reception, I was brought to Zander’s office. “Mr. Hoffman is in a meeting now. Please wait here, Ms.

in acknowledgment. I looked around the office casually after

in all of K City. Yet the office that had been assigned to Zander was barely a hundred

opened from the outside. Zander

morning,” I greeted with a