Never Too Far Novel

“Next question. What does Connor have to do with Kevin?”

“After Kevin’s parents passed away, Connor—his uncle—and his wife Olivia became his guardians.”

Something invisible squeezed Jared’s heart and he placed his hand on his chest. “Do you know that Kevin had a younger sister called Ellen?”

“I think he did, but she was very young back then. We didn’t look into much of that family.”

“Are you aware that Connor hogged all that compensation money and consigned his niece to an old lady? He did not look after her for the past sixteen years.” Jared could not smother the pain in his chest.

He realized that Ellen’s brother was the one who donated his heart to him, and Ellen did not know a thing about the donation. Otherwise, she would’ve told him when they were at the cemetery.

Darn it! He slammed his hand on the steering wheel, making Benjamin flinch. Benjamin hurriedly comforted, “Mr. Presgrave, calm down. You mustn’t be too emotional!”

“You had one job and yet, Ellen did not get her due at all. Connor and his family took all the credit. She has had a hard time since young. You guys are partly responsible for that.” Jared’s expression turned grim. His fist could’ve landed on Benjamin’s face if he did not rein in his temper.

Benjamin was so frightened that he let off the steam by criticizing Connor. “How can they not look after the donor’s sister and enjoy the money by themselves? They’re ridiculous!”

Benjamin suddenly thought of the rumor that had been circulating in the company. I think the rumored girl is Ellen too. Are they the same person? Gosh… He’s gonna tell me off for sure.

“Find out how Connor spent that money. I’ll ask Ellen to get ’em back.”

“What about this time? Are you still going to give him money?”

“I will, but not to them.” Jared snorted coldly. For the past few years, Jared had already repaid Connor enough for signing the contract back then. Now, it was time for Ellen to reclaim what was rightfully hers. Jared would make it happen.

Then, he requested Benjamin to get out of the car so that he could go to Ellen, whom he missed so much. Strong guilt was fettering him. I have her brother’s heart, yet she is clueless about it. How am I supposed to tell her the truth so that she won’t get hurt?

Connor left the cafe when he happened to see Benjamin entering a car. “Mr. Stark, could you give me a lift?”

Benjamin could not bother to straighten up his attitude. During the past sixteen years, he was in charge of handling Connor’s matters and requests. Connor was so shameless that he could send his daughter abroad to pursue her studies by using the Presgrave Family’s name. Yet, the donor’s sister did not benefit from anything.

“Sorry, but I have a meeting to rush to,” Benjamin replied as his visage grim.

The sensitive Connor noticed the change in Benjamin’s attitude, so he bent over. “What’s the matter, Mr. Stark? Did I say something wrong?”

“Mr. Aguirre, I think you should figure things out on your own. There are certain principles that we must abide by as humans. How could you cross the line?” Benjamin wanted to teach him a lesson.

Connor’s neck turned crimson. “I can’t follow. What did I do?”

“Say, does the donor have a sister? Did she benefit anything from the deal? Do you know how angry President Presgrave is?”

Connor’s mind went blank, and he was jittery. “Mr. Presgrave already found out about it?”

“He’s not an idiot. Just who are you trying to fool?”

Did Mr. Presgrave see through my lies? Is he aware of Kevin’s identity?

Connor’s countenance turned pale for embarrassing himself. He resented Olivia for coming up with this horrible idea. Forget about the money, I bet Jared would not even wish to see me anymore.

Benjamin drove his car away, leaving Connor standing all alone in the same spot. It took him a while before he called Olivia.

“Honey, how did it go?”

“Your idea is literally stupid. Mr. Presgrave has found out that Ellen’s brother is Kevin, and you told me to blabber all those nonsense to him? Do you think he’ll give us the money now?”

“What? He knows that Kevin is Ellen’s brother? Honey, did you actually do as I say? How can you be this silly? I was just thinking out loud. You shouldn’t have taken it seriously.” She refused to take the blame.

“You! I-If we don’t get the money, you’re gonna get it from me.” His ineptitude made him vent his anger on his wife.

Meanwhile, Olivia was an irresponsible person who never acknowledged her wrongdoings. The money received from Jared was the reason Connor and Olivia could put up with each other this long. Otherwise, they would’ve separated ways eons ago.

Connor’s face was burning in embarrassment.

We’re done for. We’re not getting another penny, and now Ellen’s gonna come after us.

On the other hand, Olivia was equally livid after the phone call. She dialed Selena right away.

“What? Mr. Presgrave found out that Kevin is Ellen’s brother? We’re doomed, Mom. If Ellen knows that we didn’t give her a share of the money, she’s gonna take her revenge!”

“I doubt she dares! She was way too young back then. What did she even know at that age? Even if we had given some money to her, would she have been able to use it?” Olivia acted like an elderly person with a conventional mindset.

“Mom, it’s possible, if Mr. Presgrave helps her. With his backing, she might be able to take away half of the assets we own right now.” Selena, who had been to college, knew the laws better.

“What? Is it that serious? What are we gonna do?” Olivia was surprised because Selena had a point.

“We mustn’t sit still doing anything. It’s possible that Ellen will hate Mr. Presgrave if she knows that he has Kevin’s heart. Let’s hope that she’ll hate him.”

“Ellen is head over heels for him, though. Why will she hate him?”

“Tell her that the Presgrave Family set Kevin up when he hadn’t passed away. That way, she’ll resent the Presgraves to the bone.”

“Will it work?” Olivia was at her wit’s ends.

“Trust me. Mom, just sit back and watch. I’m sure this will drive a wedge between her and Mr. Presgrave. Alright. I think I should give her a call right now.” Selena had to be one step ahead of Jared before he revealed the truth to Ellen.

Selena, who was at a hotel, dialed Ellen’s number. Meanwhile, Ellen was patting the cat on the balcony. Life was peaceful and wonderful at that moment.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Her brows knitted when she realized that it was a call from Selena.

Why is she calling me?

Ellen decided to ignore it, but Selena did not stop calling her.

Did something happen to Uncle Connor? His affair is a time bomb after all.

She answered the call at long last, albeit with an unfriendly tone. “Hello.”

“Thank God you answered the call. You know what? I overheard something shocking and I must tell you this.” Selena sounded urgent.

What is it?”

“It’s about Kevin. I overheard my parents talking. It is shocking.”

Ellen frowned. “Just tell me.”

“Listen, you better break up with Mr. Presgrave. Don’t hesitate or you’ll feel sorry for your brother,” emphasized Selena on purpose.

“Why?” Ellen could not understand the situation.

“Just do as I say, or you’ll regret it.”

“I’m done talking to you.” Ellen knew that favorable words would never come out of Selena’s lips.

to the chase. “Wait, hold on! I’ll tell you. Back then, someone wanted Kevin’s heart, and my parents didn’t dare to tell you. They’re from a powerful family, so my parents couldn’t

the core. Even the cat in her arms fell onto the

true. Kevin was forced to donate his heart. Wanna know who the donee was? Jared Presgrave. He was in dire need of a healthy heart, and his parents found us. They threatened Dad and Mom

shut her eyes, feeling the looming dizziness. It was a huge

Kev’s heart by force? So, he was buried without a heart? Why was it Jared? Why did it have to be the

“Are

my family’s name that I’m telling the truth. I’m telling you for your sake. Don’t be fooled by his looks, money, and gentle side. Think

Jared treated Ellen well not because

You fall for him just because he’s nice to you. He’s waiting for the perfect timing to tell you the truth

be true. You’re lying!” Ellen closed her eyes, not wanting

loaded with Dad’s salary, right? Well, it’s all from the Presgraves. My parents didn’t give you a single penny because you were young back then. They have been saving it for your dowry.” Selena was

speculations regarding the reason behind her uncle’s sudden wealth; even the other relatives gushed about it furtively during family gatherings. Now, the mystery was

was the price for

could they take

It’s the Presgraves! They’re the top dogs! Their assets alone are enough to build a nation. What can we expect from them? A sheer little threat is enough to force my parents to sign the agreement. Otherwise, both of us wouldn’t be able to be here right now. They didn’t have a choice, Ellen.” Selena fanned the

of Ellen as she raised her voice. “What did they do to take

ready to give up on him. They were about to remove the machine from Kevin when the Presgraves came.”

by force at that! I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this all those years.” Daggers pierced Ellen’s heart. It pained her to know that her poor

the way to see

fear the strong ones just because we’re poor and powerless? I will never step back from this!” Ire had long

other hand, Selena sneered into the mirror in the hotel room. Her idea worked! If Ellen decided not

who would need to face an infuriated Ellen was none other

out about it not long ago. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

doorbell ring, so Selena quickly wrapped it up. “It must be Mr. Presgrave! Don’t open the door, Ellen! Honestly, I still

Selena pouted. Alas. Only if I could witness what’s

at the door while her hands formed into tight fists. Tears trickled down her cheeks, yet her heart was blazing in grief, hatred, and anger. They stirred her heart into turmoil,

eyes for a few seconds as the doorbell did not stop ringing. Next, she opened the door to reveal

in front of him had a resentful gaze. It was as if she was

teeth, she pointed at his chest. “Does that belong to my

tell you. The donor was your

was grateful to God for bestowing

suddenly burst into tears. Her

pale complexion, Jared hurriedly hugged her waist to pull her into

me! Don’t touch me!” she screamed. She’d rather prop herself against

heart squeezed. “Do

gazed at him. “Why? Do you feel

I rushed all the way here to apologize to you,” he

taking his heart by force, you monsters!” The girl in

to your brother. I was able to survive, thanks to him, and my family is eternally grateful to

self-destructive predicament. She raised her head, revealing her hatred-filled eyes. “You done? Get

but promise me that you won’t do anything

out of here and the company, and I won’t

anxiety, but he tried to soften his voice. “Ellen, we

tears in her eyes; he dared not move a muscle, letting her be. No one knew how much he wanted to wipe off those tears, but he knew she would hate whatever he

to the living room for the cat. After settling it into the box,

to death. He held the

seven-year-old girl in the dark, so how

will protect her and love her forever in

Ellen began packing her stuff behind the door while anything

by Olivia. “I found

was

because of Mr. Presgrave. What happens to her if they break up? Plus, we’ve gone bust. If she insists on getting the money from us, we’ll have no choice but to sell the house and

cut to the chase!” He glared

can’t even bear the sight of Mr. Presgrave now. If she happens to

momentarily. “Are we

rebuked confidently. “Do you think she can seriously pull something on us? Even if

can take away half of our assets at any time. Now, my investment has gone out of the window, and I have two families to feed. I won’t be able to choke

money, he sighed. He thought they would be able to get out of trouble again, yet Benjamin could not care less about them. The Presgrave Family was no longer their backup, and all they had left was the assets in their possession right now. As an afterthought, he became petty. Right, we mustn’t give Ellen our money. She’s a girl; she’s gonna marry someone and become

It was not until then that she realized how many things Jared had given her. She looked at her phone, which was a present from him, and felt relieved for not discarding her old

to know the details of what happened that year to validate Selena’s words. In the end, she contacted Connor, whom she believed would be

the phone rang, Connor was going to drink in the hall on the second floor when the dialer’s name

to ask you.”

brother’s donation to the Presgrave Family, I

Did they threaten you to sign the agreement? Did they force

a cold sweat, but he figured it was fine to lie to make her hate the Presgrave Family. “Yeah, they

would they have

like us go against a rich family? Even if they didn’t tell us what they’d do to us, we wouldn’t be able to survive after

be honest.

lie to you? They forced me to sign the papers. After the surgery, they even stopped by to thank us and stuffed us with money.

the day Kevin passed away, a few men in suits came to Connor’s place and gave a credit card right in front of her

sat upon her chest and stifled her breath, whereas

Kevin has passed for many years. You should lead a good life too. If anything happens, I will help you.” Connor comforted her, and the tad of guilt in him remained only for a fleeting second, though. “Ellie, listen. You must not be at odds with the Presgrave Family. They’re loaded and powerful. If you make a ruckus, you’ll be in danger.”

bit her lip. “They can just

fool. Being able to live a peaceful life is our blessing. At least that’s how it is

A sharp pang pricked Ellen’s chest, making it

weren’t allowed to enter the operating room.” Connor glossed

pain. They dug his heart out before

crying. Right now, her only wish was to leave everything Jared gave her. She removed the SIM card to insert it into her old phone. Next, she pulled out her luggage and opened the door. To her surprise,

gentle Jared approached her. “Ellen, where are you

as tears streamed down her cheeks. The

can give you a ride.” He entered the elevator with her while holding

In actuality, he wished that she would yell or vent her emotions at him as long as it was not a cold treatment. At that point, it felt like she was going to

and walked straight to the entrance of the neighborhood. She was pulling her luggage as he trailed behind her.

of my hand. I don’t wanna see you.” She turned

when will you want to see me?” he

this lifetime.” She looked

patted his chest. “If you

frantic eyes, fearing that he might do something stupid as

gaze and added, “I can wait for another donor. If you

who was she to despise him for that? Although she did not wish to see him, she

that you own it. It’s just hard for me to look you in the face.” She wiped her tears and

against the window, the driver stepped on the pedal and almost dragged the sophisticated man along the road. Jared’s knees were on the ground, prompting her to pop her head out of the window

going to reprimand the driver when he pre-empted her. “You’re welcome, miss. You should stay away from a scumbag like him. A handsome man with a slick tongue is

something, sir. Please do not do something like this again. It’s dangerous,” she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back

hand, the bodyguards gazed at

should we go

“Sir, are you alright?”

him. “Follow her. I have to know

to stay, it would be

while Jared heaved a sigh, her final

that emotional upon knowing the truth. Clearly,

proceeding with the transplant, so it was not a forceful deal. Therefore, he wondered why the permissible deal sounded like a deception to Ellen. He fully believed in his parents, who would never do

news from the Aguirre Family. Perhaps they contorted

it that way. The Aguirre Family feared the notion of Ellen coming after their money under Jared’s

story. If they lied that