’She’d already given him an entire past lifeti and still couldn’t warm his cold heart. Was she going to waste this lifeti on him too? Was she out of her mind?’
Annabelle just smiled and said nothing.
The two of them went to many places and took lots of pictures.
They went to an amusent park, the riverside, and so historical sites.
While they were browsing in the mall, Ashley suddenly said she needed to use the restroom. Annabelle sat down in a public seating area outside to wait for her.
She had just sat down when her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was Ryan.
Annabelle answered teasingly, "Young Master Linton, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Ryan was also walking through the mall. "I brought Kiera out shopping today," he said casually. "I have no idea how to pick out clothes for you girls. Are you free?"
’So he wanted my help,’ she realized.
Annabelle considered it. Ashley was the sa age as them, so they would surely have plenty to talk about. It would be perfect for them all to shop together.
"Oh, perfect. We’re out right now too. Where are you? We’ll co find you," Annabelle said.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "We?"
"Mhm, and Leona Grant’s sister."
The mont he heard it was another girl, Ryan instinctively frowned. "How old is she?"
"Seventeen. Sa age as you."
"Never mind then." Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose and said wearily, "By the way, how is the search for a rehabilitation program for Kiera’s legs going?"
Annabelle pressed her lips together.
Hearing about this again felt surreal.
Kiera Keane and Ryan were childhood friends. A few years ago, Kiera had saved Ryan’s life but lost the use of her legs in the process, a fact for which Ryan felt imnse guilt.
For years, he had been personally taking care of Kiera, determined to help her walk again.
’His "never mind" just now... he was afraid that bringing Ashley along would be painful for Kiera to see.’
But Annabelle knew the chances of Kiera Keane ever walking again were slim to none.
In her past life, Ryan had taken her abroad for treatnt, and she hadn’t returned before Annabelle died.
When she remained silent, Ryan knew she hadn’t found a solution yet. He sighed. "She hasn’t said anything, but I can tell she’s becoming more and more withdrawn. The doctor said she could develop depression if this keeps up. Sis, please, help think of sothing. This is all my fault. I can’t just stand by and watch her suffer because of ."
Annabelle pursed her lips and nodded. "I’ll do my best."
"Okay. I’m hanging up now."
Ryan walked on, his mind heavy with worry, when he suddenly bumped into a girl walking toward him.
"Sorry," ca a careless voice.
"Mm," Ryan grunted, walking past her without a change in expression, clearly not paying her any mind.
Hearing his voice, Ashley froze for a second, then whipped her head around.
As she stared at his handso, retreating back, fragnted mories suddenly flashed through her mind.
"Help! Help! GLUG, GLUG—"
"Grab my hand! Hold still!"
"Big Brother, my na is Ashley Grant, but everyone calls Ashley. What’s your na?"
"Big Brother, want to co play at my house? I have so many cool toys, and I can give them all to you!"
"Big Brother... Ashley likes you. Will you marry when we grow up...? Hehe."
"Big Brother, where do you live? I can help you find your mommy and daddy, okay?"
"Big Brother..."
Ashley stood rooted to the spot, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. "Big Brother," she whispered, the phrase echoing over and over in her mind.
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