Never Too Far Novel

When Ellen returned home, she was hesitant to turn on the lights. As the light was dim, she turned on a nightlight and began cleaning the house. After Jessica informed her that macaroni and cheese would be on the menu for dinner that day, she retrieved a box from the back of the cupboard and set it to boil.

One of Jessica’s favorite pastimes was chatting with the other retirees in her neighborhood. Hence, she would return by 6.00PM, and Ellen would prepare dinner in advance while she awaited her return.

After Ellen had finished setting the table with the cutlery, Jessica returned home. She had turned sixty-six, and despite her silver hair and wrinkled face, she was full of life and vitality.

“Ellie, is dinner ready?”

“Grandma, did anything interesting happen today?” While cooking the macaroni, Ellen engaged her in conversation.

Jessica happily filled her in on the local tidbits, such as which family had been childless for years despite being married and whose daughter-in-law was going through a divorce. Ellen found it enjoyable to converse with her because she knew it would help Jessica’s memory and slow the progression of her dementia.

On the other hand, Ellen mentioned how she had met Selena earlier that day at the cafe. When Jessica heard that, she let out a sigh of sympathy for Ellen. Both Selena and Ellen were around the same age, but Selena had the privileged life of a wealthy daughter while Ellen was forced to make do with less.

“Ellie, please hear me out on this.”

“What is it?”

“If I pass away someday, you ought to look for your uncle and move in with them.”
When Ellen returned home, she was hesitant to turn on the lights. As the light was dim, she turned on a nightlight and began cleaning the house. After Jessica informed her that macaroni and cheese would be on the menu for dinner that day, she retrieved a box from the back of the cupboard and set it to boil.

“Grandma, what are you saying? You have a long life ahead of you.” Ellen hurriedly stopped her from continuing.

“Grandma, what are you saying? You have a long life ahead of you.” Ellen hurriedly stopped her from continuing.

Jessica chuckled. “I meant “if”, silly. So, remember to go live with your uncle when the time comes.”

“Uncle Connor has his own family. I can’t live with them anymore.” Ellen had never considered the possibility of such a scenario.

“It’s better to be turned down than to have nobody to rely on. After all, Connor is your uncle, so he will not leave you alone,” Jessica spoke firmly. She was getting on in years, so naturally, she was concerned about Ellen.

Ellen’s eyes turned misty as she nodded. “Okay.”

“If there’s one thing you’re not good at, it’s winning over others. If you spent more time with your uncle, you wouldn’t have to suffer alongside me.”

Ellen pursed her lips, knowing that Jessica had suggested that for her own good, but she was content with her current situation.

“Grandma, this month I was awarded a bonus. So, let me take you out for a delicious meal.”

“Nah. You need to put that cash aside for a rainy day. Then, when you marry, you will need a dowry!” Jessica laughed.

Ellen’s pretty face flushed. “Grandma, it’s too soon for me to marry!”

“I hope I live long enough to witness your wedding. I’m curious what kind of boy you’ll marry.”

A deeper flush of redness spread across Ellen’s face. “Grandma, hurry and eat your dinner before it gets cold!”

Meanwhile, at Aguirre Residence, Olivia bought a new set of clothes and wore them to show her husband. However, Connor seemed distracted, and without even looking at her, he said, “You look great in them, but you shouldn’t go out and spend so much money on clothing.”

“Why not? I am delighted to spend it on them,” she snorted. She was frustrated by her husband’s inattention and asked, “What’s the matter with you lately?”

“I wonder if Ellie has been treated unfairly. My conscience is bothering me.”

Then, Olivia sneered, “What’s the use of being sorry?”

“We can make amends for her loss by providing financial assistance so that she does not have to endure as much suffering in her daily life.”

“No way. Life is what you make of it; unfortunately, Ellen’s life is destined to be difficult. Moreover, we have no control over it,” Olivia stated sarcastically. “We have not yet secured a job for our daughter!”

“I called Mr. Wenlock, but he was away on business. When he returns, he will arrange a position for Lena.”

Seeing how soft-hearted Connor was, she sat beside him and persuaded him, “Think about it, Connor. What if helping Ellen leads to her becoming entangled with our family? If you lend a hand to her once, she’ll be back for more. So, will she move in with us after the passing of Aunt Jessica? Worse yet, what if she chooses to live off of us for the rest of her life? If you don’t give her money right now, you are telling her we are not people she can rely on. There’s no harm in being ruthless sometimes, right?”

Connor was brainwashed time and time again by Olivia, and since he also valued profit, he ruthlessly neglected his niece for years.

“Fine!” Connor had no choice but to listen to his wife and be ruthless.

Due to their conversation, Olivia was no longer interested in trying on clothes anymore, so she called her daughter and reminded her to come home early.

Meanwhile, Selena was hanging out with a bunch of foreign friends in a high-end bar. Selena’s circle of friends were all rich kids in Averna who were open to meeting new people and going to parties.

In the blink of an eye, it had been a few days since Selena returned. Today, she and her friends made an appointment to visit the golf course where Ellen happened to be. She wasn’t here for fun. Instead, she was there as a cleaner. The daughter of Jessica’s good friend worked as a janitor here, but she was hospitalized because she was not feeling well and couldn’t ask for leave, so Jessica asked Ellen to help her out for a few days.

Ellen had been working for two days in a row now, and she had also requested to take over the night shift for her cafe job so that she could make time during the day. On this day, she wore the janitor uniform and a sun hat. No one could tell that she was just a young girl.

Just as she was cleaning a particular area, four fashionable young ladies walked toward her while chatting. Ellen took a glimpse at them curiously before quickly recognizing Selena. At the same time, Selena turned in her direction, so Ellen called out to her, “Selena!”
Connor was brainwashed time and time again by Olivia, and since he also valued profit, he ruthlessly neglected his niece for years.

Selena was looking at the scenery at first, but she was startled by the sudden call of her name. Only then did her gaze fall on the janitor.

Selena was looking at the scenery at first, but she was startled by the sudden call of her name. Only then did her gaze fall on the janitor.

Surprisingly, the janitor turned out to be Ellen! Moreover, she was holding a garbage bag in one hand, while the other hand wearing gloves, and she was wearing an unfashionable sun hat. It was so embarrassing to watch.

“Do you know her, Lena?” one of the girls asked curiously and took a glance at Ellen. Since when did Selena have such a bum-looking relative?

Ellen felt the complicated gaze in Selena’s eyes as she looked at her. Thereafter, the latter smiled and replied to her friend, “No, I don’t know her.”

Feeling as if she had been stabbed in the heart, Ellen hurriedly turned around to leave, not wanting to embarrass Selena.

Selena watched Ellen’s embarrassed back with a smile, and there was no trace of guilt in her eyes. Ellen almost made her lose pride in front of her friends, for goodness sake!

She used to brag in front of her friends that her family was all wealthy, so it did not make sense that she had a relative who worked as a janitor!

Just then, one of the girls covered her mouth and exclaimed, “Oh my! Look at that man! He’s so handsome!”

The backs of two men were facing them, and the younger one resembled a prince under the morning light.

His thick raven hair was brushed backward, revealing a flawless face and sharp features. He had thick brows, a sharp nose, and beautiful lips. His overall temperament was elegant and charming.

Although they were nearly 30 feet away from him, all of them were in awe of the man’s good looks. Even Selena could feel her heart racing. Whether it was his temperament, figure, or his face, he was her ideal type.

“I wanna know him! Which family does he belong to?”

“I don’t think I have seen him before, but I can tell that he’s extremely well off.”

“He must belong to a higher class than us! How great would it be to know him? Why don’t we ask for his phone number?” one of the girls suggested.

“Then let’s decide with a game!” The four girls were here to take pictures of the scenery so that they could upload them online and maintain their perfect rich girl setup.

Eventually, Selena lost the game. She took a deep breath, and with eyes filled with ambition and desire, she mused, If I get his number, I won’t share it with anyone else!

“I’m going over now,” she declared while combing her hair with her digits and checking her outfit. Once she was content with her preparations, she walked up to the two men.

Beside the young man stood a middle-aged man. The duo was playing golf while chatting away.

When Selena approached them, she heard the middle-aged man respectfully addressing the young man, “Sir, it’s getting late. Shall we head back?”

“Sure. Let’s leave in a few minutes.” The man’s voice was crisp and clear, carrying a hint of masculine charm.

After he swung the golf club, Selena approached him. The middle-aged man turned to look at her and asked, “Is something the matter, miss?”

“Well, my friends and I… made a bet. Whoever can get this young man’s number will win the game. May I ask… if you are willing to help me out, sir? Can I get your contact number, please?” As Selena raised her head, she realized that the man had such a stunning face that she dared not look him in the eye. If she did so, her heart might beat even faster, and she might even risk stuttering in her speech.

Before the young man could reply, however, the middle-aged man rejected her request. “Sorry, miss. We cannot allow just anyone to have his phone number.”

Selena couldn’t help taking the opportunity to look at him and noticed that the collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned, and the cuffs of his shirt were rolled up to the middle of the arms, which revealed his fair and delicate skin. He had a pair of gleaming deep-set eyes, a sharp nose, and sexy lips. When all of those aspects were combined in one frame, he looked as perfect as a sculpture.
Beside the young man stood a middle-aged man. The duo was playing golf while chatting away.

Without backing down, she boldly asked the man, “Sir, please. Please help me out!”

Without backing down, she boldly asked the man, “Sir, please. Please help me out!”

In response, the man took a glimpse at her and replied indifferently, “Sorry, I can’t.”

Even his voice is charming!

Though she was extremely disappointed by his response, she dared not act presumptuously anymore. She stared at the man greedily for a few seconds before turning around to leave.

“Let’s go, sir!” the middle-aged man initiated.

When Selena returned to her friends, she had to disappoint them by telling them that she couldn’t get his number, so the girls became depressed as well. They just missed out on getting to know a handsome man!

But Selena was even more disappointed because she had admired the man up close. The feeling she had for him had intensified after their brief exchange.

looked straight out

an extremely heavy bag of garbage on the road. A buggy stopped in front of her as she struggled to

before widening her eyes. She felt dizzy as if

was not the sun, but

did not expect a handsome man

ride, miss! You’re working too hard.” After saying that, the middle-aged man got off the vehicle and helped her

about it.” The young man smiled as he started scanning her before asking

grandma’s friend works here, but she fell sick, so I came over to take over her job for a few days.” After Ellen finished speaking, she wrung her hands nervously. She

face turned scarlet. She would rather drag that bag of garbage alone than be scrutinized under

She felt embarrassed.

parking spot, the middle-aged man even carried the garbage bag down for her, but when she intended to thank them for their kind

blankly for a while, and when she came back to her senses, she felt quite puzzled but deep inside,

and left the golf club. Since buses did not stop nearby, she had to walk about

drove up from behind

was afraid that Ellen would see her driving the car—that would make her seem like she

going to send you to work at Presgrave Group? Is that true?”

My father’s looking for

to get into the company

head. “His friend can only help me to get a job

don’t even need a job! You can do any other job since your family’s so well off,”

that tons of talented figures earn millions a year in that company! They’re way better than the

young man she had seen at the golf club earlier. That was the man she wanted to get married to. I

the air-conditioning against her face. She felt like a speck of dust in the universe as she looked at the

afraid that Ellen would see her driving the car—that would make her seem like she was a heartless person. Selena didn’t want to pick Ellen up—she felt embarrassed to show her friends that she had a relative as

company once, but the manager kept harassing her. In the end, she had to quit her job because she was too afraid of him. She didn’t have the guts to tell anyone else about this matter because she knew that no one was going to support her even if she told them about it. She didn’t dare to tell her grandmother about it either—she was worried that she

all these people. Even though I graduated from university, finding a job is simply too hard. It’s practically impossible to find a good job without having some connections. Ellen had gotten into a decent company once, but the manager kept harassing her. In the end, she had to quit her job because she was too afraid of him. She didn’t have the guts to tell anyone else about this matter because she knew that no one was going to support her even if she told them about it. She didn’t dare to tell her grandmother about it either—she was worried that she would make her grandmother worry and

who had ever risked his life to protect her. From what she could remember, her brother was both bold and warm. Whenever he had good food, he made sure to share it with her; whenever he had nice toys, he would give them

her grandmother’s warm meal. Even though it

Selena told her mother all about how she had bumped into Ellen at the golf club. “She was so disgusting. I nearly got embarrassed in front of my

should just pretend not to know her. She can’t blame you for it.” Olivia had a beauty face mask that cost 1000 on her face, and she

even if I saw her on the streets. She totally embarrassed our family.” Selena had a resentful look on

You don’t want her bad luck to rub off on you,” Olivia reminded her daughter. The truth was that she didn’t want her daughter to get close to Ellen as she was afraid that Ellen would start pestering their family someday. If they showed enough hostility toward Ellen, then Ellen wouldn’t have the

know!” Selena nodded. “Mom, I have a question! How did we get so rich? Some people’s families have a company that they’re

who provided

is that benefactor?” Selena couldn’t help wondering even

himself to you if the opportunity arises,”

can make our entire family rich overnight must be extremely wealthy. I need to get to

university. Although it

course.” Likewise, Olivia was

handsome man on the field today.

“How handsome?”

true wealth. His entire body radiated with a sense of nobility and an extraordinary aura. I practically swooned on the spot when I saw him.” Selena described the man to her mother in detail; there was no restraint

then you shouldn’t randomly fall in love or enter a relationship with a man. Don’t let those useless men

catch my fancy anyway.” Selena assured her mother. Beneath the beauty face mask, Olivia’s expression stiffened. She turned around and looked at Selena reproachfully. “Didn’t I already tell you about this? Your

stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out at the lights in the distance. He was reminiscing about all the fun things he experienced with his parents when

stared out at the lights in the distance. He was reminiscing about all the fun things he experienced with

day, but God had given him the chance for a second

him and saved his life as a result. Even now, his family continued to help the

he received back then had long since merged seamlessly with

visible scar on his chest that remained from the surgery he underwent back then, but the scar did not take away from the beauty of his strong figure. On the contrary, the scar added a

deeply when she heard

grandmother’s room, she saw her grandmother lying on the dimly lit ground. Her grandmother

turning on the light, she saw her grandmother lying there motionlessly with an ashen complexion. Then, she quickly rushed back to her room and grabbed

the nurse urged her to pay the medical fees first. She had taken out all the money she had on her, but the nurse informed her to prepare

terrified and quickly contacted her great aunt, Lilac Aguirre, for help. Unfortunately, Lilac had just recently paid for her son’s wedding and had no money to spare. She told

other options left. She could only hope that her uncle would be willing to loan

death. Be that as it may, the doctor warned Ellen to prepare herself for the worst. Jessica’s fall had resulted in serious cardiac issues, so there was a high

with her hands in horror as tears began to flow down her cheeks.

have the money. Please save my grandmother no matter what,” she

worn-out phone clutched in her hands, but

accompanied her grandmother throughout the night. When 7.00AM finally rolled around, she hurriedly

received the phone call, he immediately showed concern. “What?

serious. Uncle Connor, can you please loan me some money? I want to treat Grandma’s

need? Just let

need more money later, so she decided to ask for more from the beginning. No matter how tiring it would be, she would definitely work hard

the money over to you right away.” After a few seconds of hesitation, his

ended the phone call, she heaved a sigh of relief. At this moment, she was delighted to have a rich uncle who could help

was leaving the house, Olivia caught sight of him and hurriedly asked, “Where

Jessica fell last night and is being hospitalized right now. Ellen lacks the funds for the medical expenses, so

instantly, and she immediately probed further. “How much

“100,000.”

asked you for 100,000!? No way! The most you can loan her is 20,000. And you

can you be so heartless? She is

road for her medical expenses after suffering from a serious fall. Besides, she won’t be saved even if we spent all that money on her. Why waste our money on something so useless?” After saying that, she continued, “If you help Ellen on this occasion but Aunt Jessica unfortunately passes, she will

not easy for a child like

I’ll only lend her 50,000 then! It’s not easy for a

She stood there scolding him angrily. “Where are you getting that money from? Our money is for retirement! How can you

Selena came downstairs

money early this morning, and your father agreed to loan her 100,000. Of course, I

pay us back!? She only earns a meager salary of 3,000 a month!” Selena

did her best to starve herself, it

to learn about something like this so early in the morning. “Mom, I’m going shopping later. You mentioned that you’d

it in a bit.” Olivia’s expression immediately became gentle. She would never skimp

should be raised in luxury

the time Connor arrived at the hospital. She could sense that she no longer had much time left to live. Therefore, she encouraged Ellen to remain strong and waited

in her eyes. “Connor, I won’t be alive for much longer. The one

was about to pass away, he naturally felt very distressed. Not

you. I will bring

sister’s only child. As her younger brother, you have to help care for her child,” she

forgotten. He felt like he had just

husband for her when the time comes. Don’t let others bully her.” Jessica was not afraid of death. The only thing she feared was that Ellen would be all alone in the

made her feel relieved and reassured. With that,

grandmother would pass

all her money to Ellen. For that reason, she passed away peacefully

with the funeral procedures. Connor hung around too. On the other hand, Ellen was too young and could not understand anything. Nevertheless, her tears did not stop flowing down

“Grandma! Grandma!”

carried into the hearse, she wept sadly as she kneeled

of Ellen. She hugged the urn to her chest, and Connor

and scared to be all alone

back to his house. While he was driving on the

contact Olivia when

She’s going to stay at our house for a few days!?

few days!” When Ellen walked in through the door, her eyes were swollen from crying. She knew that her grandmother

his promise, she grudgingly agreed. “Fine! But only

his promise, she grudgingly agreed. “Fine! But only three

they arrived home, it was already 10.00PM. Olivia had been waiting by the door and

Come inside quickly!” she greeted them

swollen from crying. Nevertheless, she greeted Olivia politely. “Aunt

late. I’ve prepared a room for you. Come with me.” After saying that,

saw the room. So that’s why Olivia sent the housekeeper away. She wanted to vacate the housekeeper’s small

were six other guest rooms available. However, Olivia was not willing to let Ellen stay

she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable and awkward just standing in the

you, Aunt Olivia,” she said

It’s late. There’s a bathroom inside the room. You should go straight to bed after

Ellen nodded obediently. For her, this small room was already more luxurious than any other room she had ever been

into the other smaller living room. Then, he angrily questioned her, “There are so many guest rooms in the house. Why must you let Ellie

me why? Didn’t you see how dirty her clothes were? Besides, I never agreed to bring her home in the first place. You’re the one who stubbornly insisted on bringing her

worried that Ellen would no longer want to

is Lena?”

is out with her

girl stay out so late? That’s highly improper!” He

by that, Connor Aguirre?

he could not be bothered to argue with her. The last two days

other hand, Ellen gingerly sat on the bed inside the small room. She

was changing her shoes at the doorway when Olivia came and whispered something in her ear. “Ellen has

her Great Aunt Jessica had passed away, was Ellen really going to stay at their home

long will she be staying?” Selena expressed her dissatisfaction on her face. “I don’t

a shushing sound. “Don’t be so loud. Why don’t you return to your room?

upset. She was jealous that her father was being so lovely

last two days had been extremely exhausting, so Ellen fell asleep as soon as she lay down on

knock sounded on Ellen’s door. She immediately got out of bed and changed her clothes. When

“Good morning, Aunt Olivia.”

Our housekeeper is on leave,