Chapter 31 Bidding Farewell
Lara had a delayed realization–the name Donovan also contained the wr d “Don.” Wh a coincidence.
Chace and Lara stayed at a nearby inn, run by a man named Aryle. That night, he shared a legend about Westfarm Pool. Lara listened intently, her face filled with longing.
Chace held his wife in his arms. He didn’t care about the next life–his only wish was to cherish Lara in this one. That was more than enough for him.
Nestled against Chace, Lara tilted her head back and asked, “Chace, if there were another lifetime, would you still want to be with me?”
“I wouldn’t want to.” Chace teased, pinching her nose. “I want us to be together in this life and in every life after.”
Lara thumped his chest. “Ew, that was so cheesy.”
Footsteps echoed from the staircase on the second floor. Aryle turned and waved. “Hey, Don, come warm up by the fire.”
Don!
Lara turned abruptly, locking eyes with another person–Donovan.
For a moment, Donovan froze. He hadn’t expected to see Lara here. And beside her was Chace. Chace and Lara were the most famous celebrity couple under Mayer Entertainment,
Lara blinked. So I hadn’t been imagining things at the airport–Donovan really is here
Chace greeted Donovan, stepping aside so Lara could sit near him. Donovan took a seat next to her.
Aryle continued his story, the same one he told every year. Some listened intently, while others let their thoughts drift. Donovan kept his head down, the crackling firewood filling his ears
Lara’s belly had grown large, making it uncomfortable to sit for too long. Soon, she felt a dull ache in her waist. Chace helped her up, and they returned to their room.
“Mr. Mayer, we’re heading up first,” Chace said.
Donovan nodded. Once they left, he sat in silence, staring into the fire.
Lara lay on the bed while Chace knelt beside her, removing her shoes. He gently massaged her feet. As the months passed. her legs and feet swelled more easily.
Chace’s heart ached for her. He made up his mind–no matter what, he didn’t want her to go through a second pregnancy.
Lara caressed her belly, anticipation filling her eyes.
Would our baby be a boy or a girl!
“Don, I’ve been thinking… in the future, I’d like to have two children, a boy and a girl.”
“Donovan, will you love me for a lifetime?”
“Donovan, I love you. I love you so much.”
“Donovan, let’s break up.
“Ger lost!”
“Donovan, it hurts. It’s too late. Can you take me to the hospital?”
“Where does it hurt?”
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My stomach.”
“Ms. Ross, your performance is becoming more and more convincing. How long did you chearse for this act?”
Shelby’s eyes slowly filled with despair.
“From the day you betrayed me.” Donovan swore, “I decided I would never forgive you in this lifetime… unless you die.”
In the darkness, Donovan’s eyes flew open. Tears streamed down his face. He hugged himself, burying his head in his arms.
Outside, the wind howled. Inside, a heartbroken man grieved in silence.
Early the next morning, a group of guests left Aryle’s inn together. Donovan had planned to stay a couple more days, but Chace and Lara decided to leave early. “Goodbye, Mr. Mayer,” Lara said with a smile, waving at Donovan. She stood beside Chace, his arm wrapped around her waist.
Donovan waved back, his thin tips barely parting as he responded, “Goodbye.”
Chace nodded at Donovan before walking off with Lara.
Suddenly, a sharp pain gripped Donovan’s chest, making him wince. “Are you okay. Don?” Aryle asked, hurrying to support
him.
“Something flickered in Donovan’s mind. He took a couple of steps forward–but there was no one there. A strange sense of loss washed over him.
What had he just been thinking about? What had he wanted to chase after? He couldn’t remember.
Two days later, Donovan returned to Royphia. Kathleen came to see him with news.
Gordon was sick.
Gordon had always been a strict father. He rarely smiled at Donovan, always treating him with an iron hand. When Donovan was young, he had feared him.
Only later did he come to understand–some fathers just didn’t know how to express their love. They chose the only way they knew.
At the hospital, Donovan found Gordon lying in bed, looking frail. Once, his father had seemed larger than life. But at some point, Donovan had surpassed him in height
He used to see Gordon as a mountain. But even mountains grew old.
Gordon smiled weakly, “Donovan, I don’t know how much longer I have left. I’m leaving Mayer Group to you. You’ve worked hard.”
Donovan was still young, yet the weight on his shoulders was heavy. Gordon felt a pang of guilt. But a man must bear a man’s responsibilities, and Donovan had done well.
Gordon reached out, grasping Donovan’s hand. His once–stern voice softened. “Don, don’t blame yourself.”
Everyone made mistakes.
Donovan was a good person–Gordon knew that better than anyone.
“Shelby wouldn’t blame you,” he added, squeezing Donovan’s hand gently.
Donovan’s lips pressed into a thin line.
You too…” Gordon smiled faintly. “Let yourself off the hook.”
Donovan is stubborn, always carrying the weight of his regrets. Will he ever truly move on
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After leaving the hospital room, Donovan leaned against the cold wall. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled his nose. He closed his eyes
A moment later, he took a deep breath and walked to his mother’s side. “e was weeping
Donovan sat beside her and patted her back, pulling her into his arms. The woman who was always full of life was now drowning in grief.
Half a month later, Gordon passed away.
On the day of the funeral, the sky poured. Gordon had been well respected. Many came to say their goodbyes.
Dressed in black, Donovan stood silently to the side. When the service ended, he was the one to escort the coffin.
A year passed. Donovan took Shelby to Leaville.
His entertainment company continued to thrive. Lara’s first role after giving birth was in a major production, one that had everyone buzzing with excitement.
Chase received the Best Actor Award.
And Lara had given birth to a son. His eyes and eyebrows resembled Chace’s, but his nose and mouth looked just like Lara’s
The child was adorable. Donovan had someone send over a generous gift.
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