He’d give the gift back to his father, because it was his dad who had bought it for Ramona.
Jonathan unwrapped the box he was holding.
What lay inside didn’t really fit someone like him-
It was a pair of key
Two little rabbits, one male and one female, made from plastic beads, clinging to each other in a tight embrace.
Jonathan couldn’t figure out what had possessed him to buy something like this.
Just before leaving for Coralis, he’d happened to walk past a school, where a vendor was selling these trinkets outside the gate. They were dirt cheap–a few bucks for the pair–and a steady stream of students were lining up to buy them.
Jonathan had no idea why he got swept up in the moment and bought a set for himself, even going so far as to have them gift–wrapped at a nearby shop.
The wrapping cost dozens of times more than the keychains themselves.
He didn’t even have a girlfriend. He had no idea who he was supposed to give them
- to.
In his social circle, anyone he gifted these to would look at him funny.
Except for…
Jonathan left the keychains on his dining table.
Once midnight passed, Valentine’s Day was officially over.
Marina stayed in the studio all night, waiting until dawn.
In the pitch–dark office, only the glow of her phone lit up her face, making her look ghostly and pale.
4
H
Edna had told her that a woman shouldn’t be too forward–if you chase after a man, he’ll think he can take you for granted.
Marina had listened.
She’d done exactly as advised.
But as a result, she’d missed her chance to spend Valentine’s Day with Jonathan.
1/3
17.20
Because Jonathan never reached out to her.
Marina scrolled through her contacts and made a call.
But not to Jonathan.
Lately, Niamh’s business had started to pick up. After a few good deals, she’d managed to make a little money and bought herself a cheap second–hand car.
She was on her own, and with all the deliveries she had to make to clients, not having a car was just too inconvenient.
Before this, Elmer had driven her to most of her appointments.
Elmer didn’t mind–he even seemed to enjoy it–but Niamh couldn’t keep relying on him as her personal chauffeur.
Tonight, she’d just finished delivering jewelry to–a client when her phone rang with a call from someone she never expected.
“Hello, Miss Rivers? This is Julian’s mother.”
Cassidy’s voice drifted through the line, weak and drained.
Niamh frowned slightly.
She drove for nearly two hours, from downtown all the way out to the suburbs.
It was the first time she’d ever visited Julian’s home.
Cassidy was already waiting by the gates of the villa.
The last time Niamh had seen Cassidy was at the Neville family’s Seabreeze Villa in Blackspire.
Back then, Cassidy had been wild, almost unhinged.
Now, she was a shadow of that woman–gaunt and frail, like someone wasting away from a lingering illness.
Niamh didn’t press for details, just followed Cassidy into the house.
Cassidy had already explained most of the situation over the phone.
The moment Niamh stepped inside, she was met with a hostile glare from Susy Fraser, who was sitting on the living room sofa.
Julian’s room was upstairs. Cassidy unlocked the door but only let Niamh enter. The bedroom was large–so large, in fact, that Julian’s figure looked even more
frapple, pealowed up be
Nah stepped short
There was Julian, slumped on the floor, looking so thin and weak he was almost unrecognizable.
Cassidy had told her that Julien hadn’t eaten anything for a wo
No amount of ceasing or threats had made a difference
Cassidy said she’d already lost one son and couldn’t bear to lose Julian too
in
If Niamh could convince Julian to eat, she could ask for anything is return
Chapter 381
