Never Too Far Novel

Willow hugged her mother and smiled sweetly.

“Mom, did you know my future sister-in-law is the sister of the guy who donated his heart to Jared?!” Willow couldn’t help asking as she didn’t hear Anastasia bring the topic up the entire journey.

On the other hand, Anastasia was stunned by the revelation. “What? Really?!”

“Yeah!” Willow affirmed. “Jared told me on the road. I thought he would’ve told you guys!”

At that, Anastasia pondered for a quick second. Knowing Jared, he would certainly bring it up.

As for why he didn’t, it wasn’t that he had forgotten but that he wanted to introduce Ellen solemnly when they officially met. It was an intentional move. That said, Anastasia was pleasantly surprised that Jared’s beloved was the donor’s sister. Though 18 years had passed since the car accident, Anastasia’s heart constricted every time she was reminded of the incident.

Hence, the Presgraves had always been grateful to the family. Even when so many years had passed, they would help the family out whenever the latter needed it. But who’d have thought Jared one-upped them and gave himself to the family?!

“She’s our family’s savior and also a future member of our family.” Anastasia had already acknowledged Ellen even though she had yet to meet the young woman.

What the Reisses did for them was something they could never repay.

“Yeah!” Willow was on cloud nine, too. We’ll be having a new addition to the family! No, wait. Two additions! Nearly forgot my unborn nephew. Oops!

Following that, Anastasia brought the fact up with Elliot, and the man, too, was lost for words. He wasn’t sure why Jared would hide this from them, but he knew there must be a good reason.

“Do you want to take a nap? You barely slept the entire journey,” Elliot suggested lovingly.

Anastasia was indeed feeling a little tired. At that, she checked the time to find it was only 2:30PM, a few hours away from their dinner booking. She could take a nap.

“Nap with me, then,” Anastasia asked her dear husband; she could fall asleep faster with him around. As such, Elliot followed Anastasia back to their room.

As Willow had always studied abroad, she spent little time within the country. That said, she made many friends. When she came out to the yard, she bumped into a bodyguard opening the trunk for a large Doberman to dash out. However, it appeared very alarmed as this was unfamiliar ground to it.

“Duke,” Willow called out with a beam, and the canine immediately ran to her and circled her happily. Meanwhile, Willow cupped its head and petted him affectionately.

Duke was a member of the family. As it had been six years since the Doberman came into their lives, it had long become a part of the family and played an important role in their lives.

“Do you miss me?”

“Woof!”

“This is our home,” Willow introduced. “I’ll find you a spot for your bed, but don’t run around, okay?”

Duke gazed at Willow as though it understood her, then ran happily for a few circles before following Willow into the house.

…

Jared, on the other hand, had returned to Ellen, who was taking a nap in the master bedroom right then; she was honestly really lethargic. Meanwhile, Jared tiptoed to her side and watched her sleep. He didn’t have the heart to wake her up, and there was still plenty of time. No rush. Let her have a good nap.

One reason Jared didn’t tell his parents about Ellen’s identity was due to the complicated arrangements. Plus, she never received a sliver of his family’s kindness and was instead bullied and neglected by the Aguirres. Hence, even if his parents were grateful for Ellen, she never received warmth in her life in the past. At the end of the day, he decided to find a good time to bring this up with his parents after they returned.

Now, the Presgraves weren’t only grateful for Ellen because of her brother’s generosity and because she was willing to give them a progeny.

In actuality, Jared didn’t want her to suffer such torment, but Ellen was anticipating the growth and arrival of their little one every day now, even though she started off rather lost and overwhelmed.

Ellen woke up naturally at 4.30PM, but she was still startled when she opened her eyes. Shoot, what time is it?!

Just as she was frantically getting out of bed, the man on the couch reassured her gently. “Take it easy. It’s still early.”

Seeing that Jared had returned, she heaved a sigh of relief. “What time is it? Have I overslept?”

“Four-thirty. The dinner reservation my parents got is at six. We have plenty of time,” said Jared as he sat next to her and draped her jacket over her shoulder. It was already winter, and it felt a little chilly when she had just woken up.

At the thought that she was going to meet his parents, and that she was the only one remaining in her family, Ellen couldn’t help feeling sad.

“From now on, you’re a Presgrave too. We will be your loving family,” Jared comforted her. He immediately knew what was running through her head when he saw the bitterness in her eyes.

With that, the sliver of bitterness in Ellen’s heart was driven away. “Okay!” She nodded while leaning in his arms. “And I will be your dutiful wife.”

At 5.00PM, the Presgraves headed to the restaurant. They had come in advance to wait for Jared and Ellen’s arrival.

Meanwhile, in New Town, Jared and Ellen had also departed under the bodyguards’ escort.

Back in the restaurant’s private room, Elliot and Willow were discussing her future, and he enjoined her about thinking twice when she wanted to go anywhere dangerous. As she interacted with antiques, Elliot worried that his precious baby girl would get curious and follow others into a graveyard. That was very, very alarming.

“Relax, Dad. I wasn’t born yesterday,” Willow said to her father.

However, to Elliot, Willow was a child no matter how old she became, and he wouldn’t feel assured unless he enjoined her anything three times.

After all, he personally raised this little one up. No way was he going to let anyone take advantage of her. However, at the thought that he would eventually have to marry a man, he didn’t feel too happy about it.

“When has your father ever seen you as a big girl?” Anastasia teased.

Willow felt loved. Growing up, she did love to hide behind her father whenever she made a mistake or got into trouble, as he would take care of it every time.

Hence, she knew her father would forever be her strongest support, and it also made her fearless. The more Elliot spoiled her, the more daring she became.

Just then, Jared led Ellen through the door, and the Presgrave couple looked with gentle gazes in their direction at once. Anastasia stood up and greeted Ellen even more so. “Hi, Ellen. I’m Jared’s mother.”

The young woman was awestruck, for she thought it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to assume her future mother-in-law was only a few years older than herself. She looks so young! And she’s absolutely stunning!

“Ellen!” Just then, a sweet, crisp voice rang out beside her, and she found a gorgeous girl greeting her.

Though abashed, she still looked up at Anastasia and greeted, “Hello, Mrs. Presgrave.”

A chuckle escaped Anastasia as she extended her hand out for a handshake. “Just call me ‘Mom’ like Jared does, Ellen. From now on, you’re my other daughter.”

Anastasia’s words truly touched Ellen, and she couldn’t help but well up with emotional tears. “Mom!” she said with a quivering voice; it had been far too long since she had addressed anyone with the word.

“Yes, dear?” Anastasia replied with a smile.

Meanwhile, Willow handed Ellen a paper napkin and said, “Hi, Ellen, I’m Willow.”

“Hi, Willow.” Ellen was immediately in love with her future sister-in-law as well, and as she looked up, she found that her future father-in-law had gotten up from his seat as well. That said, her heart skipped a beat, for it was her first time meeting someone so intimidating.

Elliot had likely caught the young woman’s evasive gaze as he smiled warmly and said, “I’m your father-in-law. Welcome to the family. From now on, I’m your father.”

At that, Ellen raised her head, and her eyes welled up with moving tears once more. The nervousness she had vanished, too, as she called out timidly, “Hello, Dad.”

“This is awesome! We have a new addition to the family! Now our house will become even livelier,” Willow exulted, then recalled something. “Oops, I mean, two additions. I forgot I have a nephew coming.”

Her adorable behavior amused everyone, and the mood was instantly relaxed as everyone guffawed.

Later, everyone took their seats. As Jared behaved very relaxed in front of his family, Ellen eased as well.

“Ellie, you and Jared decide on a date for the wedding tonight. I’ll take you to a wedding service agency tomorrow to learn more about wedding procedures, alright?”

“Sure, Mom.” Ellen nodded.

“Mom, I’ll join you guys,” said Jared before turning to Willow. “You should come with us too. You’re going to be Ellie’s bridesmaid.”

“Okay! What a great honor. It’s my first time being a bridesmaid too!” Willow gushed, then asked, “What about your best man? Have you gotten one?”

“I’m getting my guy to come back from wherever he is, of course,” said Jared. He had a close friend whom he had known since childhood and was also born to the purple. On top of that, he had a quarter of foreign origin.

“It’s Ethan, isn’t it?!” Willow was spot on.

“It is.” Jared nodded, then turned to Ellen. “He’s my closest friend. I’ll introduce you guys to each other when he comes back.”

Ellen nodded in response and thought his friends were likely as outstanding as he was.

“It’s been a while since I last saw Ethan,” Anastasia said with a smile. “It was about three years ago, I think, when you two came home and stayed for two weeks.”

“I heard he’s gone to the North Pole for business. He should be back soon,” Jared added. Ethan’s family was a leading enterprise in shipping, and their business stretched across all major cities of the world. Plus, they also had some business dealings with the Presgraves.

prepared for her new daughter-in-law. “Ellie, this is a first-meeting gift from me to you. Take a look

With that, she opened it to find a stunning ruby necklace lying on

her heart. While she knew

for you,” said Willow, and Ellen felt

his mother used to work as a jewelry designer and even had her own listed company. Now, seeing Anastasia’s design for herself, she

you, Mom,” Ellen

son to a husband and a father and made him a

before turning to his mother. “Mom, there’s something I should tell you. Ellen is the sister of

told me about it. It must be fate that we’re

also checked with

never got the 15 million we gave the Aguirres. Not even a portion. They claimed it for themselves. Not only that, they even treated Ellie poorly, making her life

The revelation shocked Anastasia. “If my memory serves me right, Mr. Stark told your father to have a chat with them because they had a daughter who was looking to

the best of everything but left Ellie under the care of

their heart was Ellen’s brother. Hence, given the young woman’s kinship, she could get

selfish?!” Willow, too, was beside herself with

“It’s our fault for not seeing things to the

won’t let anyone upset you ever again,”

anyone dares bully you again, bring it up with Jared. Have him fight back,” Willow echoed, causing a chuckle to escape Ellen

beamed. “Willow’s

She was aware that the Aguirres struggled to make ends meet back then. Hence, they gave the family 15 million one shot in hopes that it would change

and behold, the Aguirres took the money for themselves and even sent the sister of their savior away. Their actions were absolutely

Dad, let’s just leave the past behind. Meeting Jared and becoming a part of this family is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Ellen treasured everything she had now

and nodded with a smile. “This

Ellen, Jared will make you the happiest woman in the

was touched. This is the

already 8.30PM before they knew it, so Anastasia had Jared take Ellen home

journey back, Jared and Ellen checked the calendar together for the best wedding date. Ultimately, they settled on the 18th of February as it would give them a whole

fury as the night grew late. She thought the Aguirres were terrible. They had even donated 700 thousand so that the girl could enter and stay in

than happy to go all out for them. But now that

was ask. We will certainly see that Ellen

going to bed, still unable to

to him to comfort her. “We’re partly responsible as well. It’s our fault for not

daughter-in-law no matter what,”

just what his dear wife was like. Hence, he would

…

service agency while Jared brought Ellen over. For the venue, the young couple agreed on having it on the island where Anastasia and Elliot got

flying over from all over the world. Plus, it was very private. Jared didn’t want to give Ellen a grand wedding so that people would comment on

the grandest and the most luxurious wedding. After the wedding service agency was certain of the wedding

the afternoon, they went to a bridal shop accompanied by Anastasia. Averna had the world’s top-of-the-line bridal shop; any

close in age, they went through the catalog together, with Willow providing suggestions and Ellen making the final call. In the end, they decided on four sets of wedding gowns and eight evening dresses. As

wedding, anything that had to be decided early on was decided

so he left his soon-to-be wife

when they said women had

as they followed

the two attendants who stood at the entrance stiffened instantly, for it was none other

her new job, and it made her absolutely embarrassed. Looking at the beautiful girl holding Ellen’s arm and the elegant woman,

Can she be the wife of

at that. Ellen has

the other hand, didn’t say hi either when she saw Selena looking away. It wasn’t until the trio went further into the tea house that Selena let out a murky breath, feeling incredibly

couldn’t stand the pressure Olivia inflicted on her. She dreaded the fact that she might run into someone familiar. However,

taking a peek and found the trio took the table by the floor-to-ceiling window with Ellen’s back facing

and attend to the customers,”

the guests into the tea house, but working here, she still

“Ma’am.”

water for the table over there,” demanded the manager as she pointed to

Can I not do it?” Selena asked

The manager thought she heard wrong. She couldn’t believe a new employee dared to

manager turned grim, Selena knew she could only bite the

table, and Ellen met Selena’s gaze as soon as she looked up. Selena, on the other hand, pretended not to have seen Ellen but

take up a job. At that, she pushed

you want from my mom’s company,” said Willow, and Anastasia echoed,

“Thanks, Mom.” Ellen smiled.

to pick at least ten sets. Don’t forget you have eight evening

jealousy made her absent-minded, causing her to overspill the water by accident. As the water flowed to

sorry, ma’am!” Spooked, Selena hurriedly grabbed some napkins

approached her. “I am so sorry, ma’am. What’s the matter with you, Selena?! Hurry up and apologize to the

“I’m so sorry I slipped.” In the end, she still turned to Ellen for help.

from displeased to shocked when she saw Selena

uncle, Mom,” Ellen answered, prompting Anastasia to size Selena up. She’s the girl they

Presgrave. Please forgive me. I’m still fresh here, so I’m still learning.” Selena

it. I won’t hold you for anything.” Anastasia decided to

and as Anastasia watched the manager lecture Selena in the corner, she mused, Looks like they only

your uncle and his family to the wedding?” Anastasia asked. She knew it was something she had

for even Anastasia didn’t want to forgive the Aguirres for what they

she thought it wasn’t morally right if she didn’t invite her uncle. Hence, she nodded. “I’d like to invite them if

It’ll be up to them whether they

envy and jealousy. However, she couldn’t harm Ellen

just wanted to live, and judging from what she heard about Ellen’s wedding, the latter’s life

have I done to lose to Ellen when I started off so much

circle she tried so hard to build to come to nothing. Rather, it became her life’s burden. The balderdash and big talks she made now taunted her, putting her in a state where even she looked down on herself. The path that she

stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the CEO’s office of Presgrave

The line connected, and at the same time, howling wind could be heard from the other end of

the North Pole wind not sent you back home yet?” Jared couldn’t help

“Jared, perfect timing!”

would you say

he made it a quick one.

what? You’re getting married?! You could’ve at least given me a heads-up!”

waiting for you.” Jared kept his words concise, for

I’ll come back in

you, then. Stay safe!”

was immediately reserved for three months, becoming

provided them with Connor’s address, which Connor gave

invitation to the Aguirres had to hand-deliver it to Connor before he could leave, and it sure as hell was an adventure for him, for he had to ask for directions several times before he was finally certain which

stairs, he cross-checked the address while heaving before knocking on Connor’s door, and the person to answer the door was none other than

you Mr. Connor Aguirre? I’ve been assigned to deliver invitations for the Presgrave Family. Please accept your

with excitement as he accepted

Presgrave and Miss Reiss. We look forward

hit him, for he never thought Ellen was still willing to invite him to her wedding even though he had done so many terrible things to

wedding invitation on the couch, “Who’s getting married this

This is Ellie’s,”

the invitation from him and huffed while looking at the name. “To think that wretched girl is lucky enough to actually marry into the

and asked, “Say, Connor, do

stay

There was no way she would miss out on

wife along because

you mean I stay?!

Selena came in listlessly. Seeing that her parents were arguing again, she exasperated, “Do you two have to yell at each other

about to enter her room, Olivia stopped her. “Lena, take a look at this. We’re going to

walked away. She couldn’t even be bothered to meet people now, let alone attend

just as she was about to step into her bedroom. “Ellen’s wedding? She’s getting married? Let me

Connor and Olivia were so focused on the bride and groom that they didn’t take a good look at the

like this to relax, and since it was on an island, it

Olivia snatched the card

was in a dilemma. Should he really take his wife and daughter with him to

don’t you give Ellen a call? Cajole her and see that she’ll allow Lena and me to attend.” Olivia was dying to go to the wedding

a second chance to have fun on a private island. Hence,

final decision. I’ll see if Ellen will welcome you guys,” said Connor in the

then, they wanted nothing more than for Ellen to say yes. That said, they felt just as guilty about

and daughter gazed at each other, and Selena said while

won’t let us attend.

enjoy ourselves. The most important thing is that the world’s richest people will be attending the wedding. As if I’ll ever need to be a server again if I can befriend

the house, Connor still shamelessly called Ellen after

Ellen’s

not calling at a bad

“No.”

your wedding invitation. Congratulations. Your parents would’ve