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.

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 stop

the cat in her arms

is 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 and offered a

the looming dizziness. It was

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

“Are you

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 about it, why is he treating you so well? Isn’t it because of Kevin? He’s afraid of karma!” Selena prattled nonsense,

treated Ellen well not

the perfect timing to tell you the truth so that you won’t resent him

Ellen closed her eyes, not wanting to accept

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.”

began streaming down her cheeks. Ellen had previously made a few speculations regarding the reason behind her uncle’s sudden wealth; even the other relatives gushed about it furtively during

price for

Connor do that? How could they take

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

she raised her voice. “What did they do to

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

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 brother

Mr. Presgrave is on the way to see you. We should step back because we’re

never step back from this!” Ire had long prevailed over

the mirror in the hotel room. Her idea worked! If Ellen decided not to marry Jared and dwelled in the painful lie, she wouldn’t be in a

an infuriated Ellen was

found out about it not long ago.

wrapped it up. “It must be Mr. Presgrave! Don’t open

pouted. Alas. Only if I could witness what’s going on

her heart was

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

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

pointed at his chest. “Does that belong to my

know about this? I was going to tell you. The donor was your brother. I just found out

However, he was grateful to God for bestowing such a fate to let him meet her, protect her,

tears. Her body teetered, and she almost

her waist to pull her into his arms. The dizzy Ellen shoved

she screamed. She’d rather prop herself against the wall instead of letting him touch

squeezed. “Do you

gazed at him. “Why? Do you feel accepting his heart is a matter of a

I feel guilty about it. I rushed all the way here to apologize to you,”

your family should apologize to my late brother for taking his heart by force,

barely hanging onto my life when my parents sent me to the hospital. We contacted your uncle, and he agreed. I cannot be any more grateful to your brother. I was able to survive, thanks to him, and my family is eternally grateful to yours. It is only today that I found out you didn’t get your due from the agreement. I’m hurt and angry at your uncle’s family. Ellen, please give me another chance to make it up to you.” Tears welled in his eyes because

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

you won’t do anything

Jared Presgrave. I’ll get out of here and the company, and I won’t touch any of those things you bought me. I don’t wish to see you ever

he tried to soften his voice. “Ellen,

the man was confused by her actions. The steady heartbeat rendered it impossible to fight back the tears in her eyes; he dared not move a muscle, letting her be. No one knew how

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

cat for real, and if he forgot about it instead, the cat might starve to death. He held the box as she closed the door loudly, failing to

seven-year-old girl in the dark,

love her forever in her brother’s

Ellen began packing her stuff behind the door while

returned home only to be pulled over by Olivia. “I found a way to stop

was

from the beginning. She’s all puffed up because of Mr. Presgrave. What happens to her if they break up? Plus, we’ve gone bust. If she insists

the chase!” He glared at

Ellen is misled into believing that the Presgraves forced us to sign the donation agreement. She can’t even bear the sight of Mr. Presgrave now. If she happens

we not

we be afraid?” Olivia rebuked confidently. “Do you think she can seriously pull something on us? Even if that

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 up

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

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 one yet. It could still be used after inserting

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

when the dialer’s name gave him a bag of nerves, but he picked up

I have something to ask you.” She sounded unusually

brother’s donation to

the agreement? Did

figured it was fine to lie to make her hate

they

if they didn’t tell us what they’d do to us,

honest. Is this

stopped by to thank us and stuffed us with money. Ellie, I was useless. I failed

suits came to

sat upon her chest and stifled her

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

be afraid?” She bit her lip. “They can just come

a peaceful life is our blessing. At least that’s how it is for normal people like us. Don’t ever gamble your life. And one

A sharp pang pricked

We weren’t allowed to enter the

pain. They dug

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, the man was leaning against the wall

her. “Ellen, where are you

single word as tears streamed down her cheeks. The sheer sight of him made

you a ride.” He entered the elevator with her

wished that she would yell or vent her emotions at him as long as it was not a cold treatment. At

as

don’t wanna see you.” She turned around with resentful and sorrowful

you want to see me?” he questioned

this lifetime.” She looked

“If you hate the idea of me using his heart,

hurriedly looked back at him with frantic eyes, fearing that he might

and added, “I can wait for

be saved, so who was she to despise him for that?

that you own it. It’s just hard for me to look you in

hands were placed against the window, the driver stepped on the pedal and almost dragged the sophisticated man along the road. Jared’s knees were on

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

again. It’s dangerous,” she reminded. Later, she averted her gaze back to the neighborhood, which

hand, the bodyguards gazed at

we go

“Sir, are you alright?”

head before something occurred to him. “Follow her. I have to

it would be difficult to

off while Jared heaved a sigh, her final words easing

be that emotional upon knowing the

Therefore, he wondered why the permissible deal sounded like a deception to Ellen. He fully believed

the news from the Aguirre Family. Perhaps they

Aguirre Family feared the notion of Ellen coming after their money under Jared’s support. Thus, they decided

how the Aguirres told her the story. If they lied that it