Chapter 210
The child tried to take Ella’s hand but then paused. He pulled out a wet tissue from his pocket, unwrapped it, and gave his mouth and hands a quick wipe.
When he couldn’t get it quite right, Ella squatted down to help him out.
The child was incredibly sweet, and as Ella wiped him clean, his eyes lit up with joy.
Once she finished, she pulled a candy from her pocket and asked, “Did you behave yourself, Jeremy?”
He understood and nodded enthusiastically, eager to show off his good behavior.
“There are 30 sweets here. One a day, okay?” Ella held up her fingers to show him.
Jeremy nodded seriously, clearly getting the message.
Ella then said. “I’ve got some other things to take care of today, so I can’t stay long. I’m heading out soon.”
But Jeremy just tugged at her hand, as if he hadn’t heard anything.
Ella thought he must have found another caterpillar, and she felt a little wary.
She remembered how, on their first meeting, Jeremy had gifted her a big, fat caterpillar.
The hospital director had joked about how Jeremy gave him small ones or even just mud, but Ella had received the largest and most impressive
one.
When they reached the corner, Jeremy excitedly pointed something out to her.
Ella looked down at the grass and noticed a small, light purple flower blooming at the edge.
Jeremy carefully picked the flower and placed it gently in Ella’s palm.
His smile was so sincere that it stayed with Ella, even as she looked at the flower.
The tree might have been dead, but the bright flowers underneath were still alive.
Ella found out that the kid had only cared for the flowers while the transplanted tree was forgotten.
The delicate flower Jeremy had given her was still resting under her pillow. When she saw it, Ella couldn’t keep it together any longer, and tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Jeremy, seeing her cry, panicked. He thought maybe she didn’t like the gift and tried to wipe her tears away.
He waved his hands frantically, making soft babbling noises.
Ella took a deep breath, calming herself, and gently patted Jeremy’s head. “I really love this gift,” she said, reassuring him.
Ella clipped the flower to her ear and smiled. “Isn’t it lovely?”
Jeremy nodded enthusiastically.
“I have to head out now, but I’ll come visit again soon, okay?” Ella said gently.
Jeremy’s face fell with disappointment as he understood she was leaving.
Ella gave him a hug, handed him over to the nurse, and then turned to leave. That was when she saw the familiar old man waiting nearby.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
Jaden replied, “I was just curious about that child. What happened to him?”
Ella filled him in on Jeremy’s situation, and Jaden’s heart sank.
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Jaden wondered if Ella felt pity for Jeremy because he was a vulnerable child or if it reminded her of something deeper.
He couldn’t ask her directly, though; revealing his curiosity might give away too much about his own feelings and identity.
“I heard your ex–husband was in a similar situation but later recovered,” Jaden mentioned,
Ella looked at him and said, “That’s my ex–husband. I’d rather not go into details about him.”
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10:15 AM
Chapter 210
Jaden felt a pang of regret. He knew he had made his own bed..
“Mr. Griffin, do you need anything this afternoon? I’m available if you need me,” Ella offered.
“I’d like to visit your parents,” Jaden said.
“My parents?” Ella was taken aback.
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Jaden continued, “Actually, your parents and I go way back. We were high school friends and got along really well. I even went to their wedding and met you as a baby. I remember joking with them about how if we had a son and daughter, we’d be in–laws someday.”
Ella was surprised to hear this. She couldn’t recall much from her early years, and a lot of it felt fuzzy and unclear.
With her parents and grandfather gone, she couldn’t verify Jaden’s story.
Still, it seemed unlikely that he would lie about something like this.
If Jaden had been close with her parents and had been involved in her life from the start, it made sense that he’d feel a special connection and want to help her several times.
It only made her respect him more.
Ella didn’t object and led him to the cemetery.
Her grandfather’s grave was right next to her parents‘, but Jaden couldn’t see a child’s grave that he really wanted to visit.
He wondered if Ella hadn’t included the child’s resting place there because of the pain, but he wasn’t about to ask.
He handed Ella a bouquet of daisies and said, “Ella, why don’t you wait for me down there? I’d like to have a moment alone with them.”
Ella looked at him, surprised. “What did you just call me?”
Jaden’s casual use of her name caught her off guard.
It sounded so familiar, almost like someone she knew well you!
“Don’t the people around you call you that? Can’t I?” he said.
Ella hesitated for a moment before replied awkwardly, “Oh, yeah, you can call me that. It’s fine.”
Everyone called her Ella, so it seemed a bit silly to get flustered just because Jaden used the same name.
But seeing him made her feel like she was looking at a shadow of someone from her past. It was like the lines between the two blurred and overlapped.
It was like someone had tossed a stone into her heart, sending waves through her feelings.
As she hurried down the hill, she nearly tripped, almost losing her balance.
Jaden, watching her go, assumed her distress was due to her longing of the deceased parents.
He only dared to speak after confirming that Ella had left.
Once he was sure Ella was out of earshot, he spoke softly, “Mr. and Mrs. Willow, I’m sorry I’m only visiting you now. I regret not taking better care of Ella and letting her suffer. I promise to protect her with my life and make sure she never faces harm from anyone, including myself.
“I hope you’ll keep an eye on her and wish her all the happiness she deserves. Now that I’m finally here, I’ll make sure to pay my respects and honor you.”
Jaden knelt down heavily on the ground in front of the tombstones, his movements full of reverence.
He thanked his parents–in–law for raising such a wonderful woman as Ella and prayed for their blessing. He also expressed his gratitude for their sacrifice and for giving him the chance to meet Ella.
Then, Jaden made a solemn pledge, promising that as their son–in–law, he would always be grateful and cherish their family.
Gently, he poured a little water over the tombstones to clean them up.
Next, he made his way to Ella’s grandfather’s grave.
“Sir, I’ve done everything you asked me to do. I might not have done it perfectly, but I’ve kept my promises. Ella never wanted to be in the middle of all this. Finn’s mistakes shouldn’t fall entirely on her.
2/3
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Afire pouring out his bearbeli woorde, Jaden remained in deep prayer for a while
om the fear of the censery hill Ells looked down and saw his lone figure among the grayish–white somberones
Aa Jaden descended the hill, he appeared to struggle with each step, his movements unveready. It looked like an old leg injury was flaring up, causing
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Ells noted immediately and rushed to him.
Just as Jaden’s legs gave way and he started to topple, she managed to catch him in her arms.
“Mr. Griffin, are you okay?” she asked urgently.
Jaden’s face was unnaturally pole, and sweat was beading on his forehead.
“What’s going on? Are you alright?” she pressed, trying to figure out what was wrong.
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