All too late for his love

Sadly, she couldn't save Aaron. Thinking of Aaron, Willow's throat choked with sobs again.

Swallowing her vulnerability, she raised her head. She spoke to Kenan, enunciating each word in caution, "Mr. Dawson, thank you for your kindness, but I'm not as good as you think."

Expending all her energy to say so much, Willow stood calmly, as if awaiting Kenan's final judgment.

She stared at the man with tightly pursed lips. A sudden unease washed over her as if her family had caught her in a shameful act She feared Kenan would react like those parents who caught their children misbehaving. She imagined him uttering words of disgrace and slapping her across the face If Kenan called her shameless, she would be devastated.

Preferring him not to say it first, she took it upon herself.

"Mr. Dawson, don't you think I'm very shameless? I do feel quite ashamed Before she could finish, powerful arms enveloped her. Kenan hugged her tightly, murmuring in her ear, "Willow, I don't think you're shameless. I've told you, you're the best in my heart, always."

Unable to hold back any longer, Willow's tears flooded her face uncontrollably. Covering her mouth to muffle her sobs, Willow cried like a lost child.

"Aaron is gone..."

Willow buried her face in Kenan's embrace. "I earned 10 million at the Rumpus Club, but I still couldn't save my Aaron! Those people... they went back on their word and killed him."

All her pent-up emotions poured out at that moment. Willow didn't care about the time or place. She just wanted to confide her grievances to Kerian, like confiding in a tether or brother.

"I called you. I tried to think of other ways, but still, I failed to gather the 10 million the kidnappers demanded. So, I had to go to the Rumpus Club. I know it's shameful, but I only wanted Aaron to live!"

Kenan held Willow tighter, feeling her tears soaking his clothes. His heart ached for her.

He didn't think Willow was shameful. He only felt pain for the girl he loved dearly, He was angry at Zayn who would rather disgrace her than pay the ransom to save his son!

And Kenan was angry at himself.

Where had he been?

If he had stayed by Willow's side, she wouldn't have suffered so much humiliation. Maybe Aaron wouldn't have died.

"Willow, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left Marley."

Kenan gently stroked Willow's back, comforting her.

"Willow, I won't simply leave you anymore. I will be your shelter from the storm."

Hearing Kenan's words, Willow cried even harder. He didn't blame her and even apologized to her.

How could he be so good to her?

Willow felt so comforted, she was almost reactant to die She thought she wanted to live a long life, staying by his side forever.

But, that was just an unrealistic dream.

"Willow, you said you came to find Matthew to fulfill Aaron's last wish. What was Aaron's wish? Kenan released Willow and asked gently.

such a Aaron's wish was for Matthew to sing "Little Star" for him again. Anything involving Aaron made Willow particularly fragile. So despite it being sur simple sentence, she choked up for a long time, unable to say anything Finally, she could only take out Aaron's notebook and show Kenan the last page.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Uncle Matthew, I miss you so much. Where did you go? Why don't you come to see Mom and 1?"

"Uncle Matthew, I want to hear you sing "Little Star" again."

"When I die, can you go to my grave and sing "Little Star" for me again?"

Kenan gently stroked the small notebook, reading the neat yet childish handwriting. He pictured a little boy sitting by the window, clutching a notebook, longing for someone.

Kenan's tears were welling up. Afraid his tears would further upset Willow, he fought back tears and plastered on a big smile. "Willow, I can sing "Little Star"" too! Aaron liked me so much, I'm sure he'd be overjoyed if I sang it for him."

"Willow, let's go now and sing "Little Star" for Aaron."

That night, Kenan sang "Little Star" for Aaron. He sang from dusk till dawn, until his eyes were red and his voice was hoarse. Still, he stubbornly sang Little Star" for Aaron.

That night, no stars shone, but Willow nestled beside Kenan, feeling as if she saw countless twinkling stars in the sky.

She murmured to herself, "Kenan, if there is another life, I'll walk before you healthy and strong. I'll hold your hand and share a lifetime of joys and sorrows with you.

Determined to make Skyler pay, Willow decided to start with the head of the kidnappers, Jett.

Finding his weakness or obtaining evidence of their dealings would shatter Skyler's facade. She hoped to make him admit his improper relationship with Skyler.

by her, but this involved Skyler's life and death. As siblings, Willow didn't want to Willow didn't share her plan with Kenan. Willow knew he would stand by her, put him in such difficult position.

Willow had Jett's phone number.

After charging her phone at Bordello, she planned to call him directly. But then she decided to get a different SIM card instead.

She bought one from a small shop and immediately called Jett.

Willow was quite skilled at disguises too. She deliberately made her voice sound mature and cold so Jett wouldn't recognize her.

"Hello, Mr. Hale. Ms. Dawson asked me to call you."

"Skyler? What's she up to now? Tell her if she dares to betray me, I won't let her off easy!"

"Mr. Hale, please don't be angry. Ms.

Dawson asked me to call you to give you the money. You can't turn down money, can you? Mr. Hale, please tell your account number so I can transfer the money to you."

This was Jett's very private number. Last time, he dialed Willow's number by mistake. Apart from that, he only used this number to contact Skyler.

He had blocked Willow's number, never expecting her call

Plus, Jett and Skyler had a falling out recently. So when he received this call, he assumed Skyler was Skyler was trying to buy him off again, fueling his rage. "Tell Skyler if she wants to cut ties with me, she's dreaming! Tell her to wait, I'm coming for her now!" With that, Jett hung up.

The call went much smoother than Willow expected. She didn't waste any time, grabbed her phone, and quickly ran out the door.

If she was lucky today, maybe she could capture a video of Jett and Skyler's entanglement!