All Chapters of Never End: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

My sobs filled the car but as we rolled into the driveway, I did my best to suppress them. Dixon escorted me into the house, one hand firm on my arm.The crystal casket was placed in the middle of the living room, Joseph Connor laid within it. Summer Jacobs hovered over the casket.Miraculously, Summer was not crying.She stood by Joseph with red-rimmed eyes. When she spotted me, she gave me a nod. “Thank you.”The sight of Summer made my heart ache.She was an old friend whom I considered family. We bonded during our high school days and became close as sisters.She was my only friend in the world.We knew everything about each other. Summer knew about my lingering love for the man I met nine years ago. A few months back, she had asked me, “Carol, why does sadness shroud you?”She had hugged me and choked back her tears. “You shed tears at unexplainable moments but he’s been yours for three years.”That time, Summer was still single while I had the man’s hand in marriage but

I left Dixon and went into the house. People in black formal attire were milling around the building. They came to pay their respects to the dead.I found Summer on the backyard swing. She was wearing a proper black qipao with dark patterns sewn across and her hair was tied up into a bun. There was a white flower tucked behind her ear. Her eyes were vacant as she stared at the blooming sakura tree.A gust of wind blew across the garden, creating a rain of petals that contrasted Summer’s gloomy wardrobe.I walked over to Summer and picked out the petals from her clothes. I could not find any words that would not come across as trite. The man in the coffin was the love of her life, what consolation would my words be?I took a moment to think as I patted her shoulder. “Summer, you’ll have to lead the funeral procession. We’ll show the Connors how great Joseph was.”My voice brought Summer out of her stupor. “The Connors?”I told Summer about Joseph’s status as a bastard son. In resp

It was clear from that night that Joseph Connor was favored by the Shaw family.He was also looked after by Dixon Gregg.In the eyes of the Connor family, Joseph had the combined support of both the Shaw and Gregg families.I had a niggling suspicion that someone in the Connor family wanted Joseph dead.It was a baseless suspicion without evidence.My assistant would look into the matter and hand over the information to Summer once everything was settled. I turned to him and said, “Chuck, treat Summer as you would with me. Whatever she asks for, do your best to fulfill it. She’s family and especially important to me.”“Understood, President Shaw,” Chuck replied.My assistant walked away to resume his work with the seating arrangement. I watched the guests that flitted around the house. They jogged back memories from a few months prior. Images of me lying in a casket while guests dropped by to give their condolences played in my mind.Dixon’s words played in mind. Life is unpre

”Charles Connor,” Chuck said.A member of the Connor family?When did the Connors have someone this intense?The information could come later. I looked at Joseph’s gravestone. The black and white portrait stared back at me and made me think of the words he said a few days ago. “I want to narrow the wealth and the social class gap between me and Summer. I don’t want to drag her name through the mud, hence I plan to leave her for the moment. Once I have some measure of success, hopefully, she will still be mine.”Despite the huge pressure from the Connor family, Joseph did not give up on his dreams of getting together with Summer. Who knew what that fateful night held.The funeral procession proceeded smoothly and Summer kept her composure all through the very end when the casket was being closed. She went toward the gravestone and cried her heart out.I quickly went to her side and tugged her into my embrace. Her shoulders shook as sobs wracked through her small frame. “Carol, he’

”I just attended a funeral. Feels shitty.” I said to Henry on the phone.In the end, I decided to keep the truth about my condition a secret.My explanation was enough to curb the rising worry in Henry’s tone. “Oh. Hang in there.”“Brother, how’s Sis Sheryl? How’s your rest going?”“She’s enjoying time with her friends outside.” A pause later, Henry said, “Dixon called me two days ago. He’s sending a research team comprising top cancer experts in the world. Carol, you have to take care of yourself.”The mention of Dixon was a surprise to me.Did he even remember the past me?I promised Henry. “I will.”“Alright. I need to hang up soon, I have something on in a bit.”Henry ended the call. I sat at the edge of the bed and recalled the words Dixon left me. Life is unpredictable, appreciate what you have.There was a tug-of-war in my chest. I would love to do as he said.However, my heart would not stay still.It was too difficult. Every time I imagined a person I could fall in

I love you, thousand times over.It was the sweetest thing Dixon Gregg had ever said to me.I could sense he was waiting for my reply. My fingers tightened around the phone as words failed me.Dixon waited patiently and the silence that filled the void made my hesitation all the more obvious.I ended up saying, “You’re funny.”The words were far from what I wanted to express. It was a flippant remark. There was a moment of quietness before Dixon replied, “Rest early, Carol. Once my mother’s condition stabilizes, I’ll be back in Wu City. Goodnight.”“How is auntie?”“Early-stage stomach cancer, she’ll need surgery.”Cancer again.I folded my arm around my abdomen and said softly into the phone, “Early stage is good. Don’t worry too much.”“Yeah. You should take care of yourself.” There was a pause before he continued. “Two of the most important women in my life are sick and there’s nothing I can do to help.”The feeling of impotence resonated in his voice. “Why do you love me

”Caroline Shaw, you don’t have long to live.” It was said like a curse.I sent Chuck the phone number and told him to find out whatever he could about it. Ten minutes later, he called back with some information.Anxious to know the identity of the caller, I answered the phone immediately. “You found the guy?”“President Shaw, it’s a burner phone. The sales department said it was bought three days ago and the only call made was to you.”“That’s all we have on him?” I asked.“We can trace where the phone was bought but it could have changed hands. I’ll take time to look into the matter,” my assistant replied.“Thank you.”I told him about the call. “He made me guess who he was. I thought it was a prank call but he called me by my full name and said I didn’t have long to live… It must be someone who knows about my condition.”“President Shaw, could it be Clifford?”That name had long since been buried deep in the recesses of my brain. I had not been in contact with that person fo

Summer’s words were a shock to me. I asked where she got this idea from.Her eyes were red from all the crying. She tried to blink back the tears as she replied, “I need to know the truth behind his death. Carol, I don’t believe it’s an accident…”Joseph’s death was suspicious. The tale told by my assistant played in my mind.There could have been a power struggle that led to his death.I knew Summer would not rest until the case was solved but I did not expect her to employ such methods.There were two eligible bachelors in the Connor family. They were brothers of average looks who did not stand out in any way. Both were in their thirties.There was a bad taste in my mouth. “Who do you wish to marry?”“Charles Conner.”It was the man from yesterday.“How did you know…”“Chuck told me about him. He said Charles had gone back to the Connor’s and that had unsettled the status quo. He explained who Charles was and I have decided to marry him,” Summer said.Charles Connor was no

Dixon’s confession tugged at my heartstrings and I felt a blush creep up my face.His husky voice carried through the phone. “I miss you.”I immediately changed the topic. “How’s auntie doing? The news said it’s snowing in Nanjing today.”“Yes. It’s all ice and snow over here.”I put the phone on loudspeaker and placed it on the bed before searching for a set of sleepwear. “It must be pretty.”“It is,” Dixon crooned.“Dixon Gregg,” I said, louder.“Yes?”“I miss you too.”The silence stretched between us.He said nothing. Static buzzed as the call went on forever. In the end, I was the one who ended the phone call. I had to get in touch with my doctor in Wu City.I updated him on my condition. There was a pause before he replied, “Mrs. Gregg, did something happen recently?”When we first met, I was still Dixon Gregg’s wife hence the title, Mrs. Gregg, stuck.I did not bother to correct him. “My best friend’s boyfriend just passed away and the past few days have been…messy.

There were so many signs that suggested Dixon Gregg did not suffer from amnesia but I could never come up with proof, until now.“You were faking this whole time! You’re shameless!”Dixon had a smirk on his face. His casual demeanor grated on my nerves as if me knowing about his fake amnesia meant nothing.I was fooled.A part of me wanted to bar his entry and leave him out to weather the night. As if sensing my intentions, Dixon warned me, “I recorded the call we had. If you don’t unlock the door, I’ll send the recording to Lance.”I was speechless.It was a low blow.Angered and ashamed, I went downstairs to open the door. I was greeted with the sight of a helicopter on my lawn.I could feel the spring breeze through my thin sleepwear. “A helicopter? Really? That’s such a rich-person gimmick.”Dixon’s lips curled into a smile. “Well, I am a rich man.”“Shameless.” I glared at him.“You look angry,” he said.He stepped toward me and patted my head. His hand ran down the le