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Jacqueline reached out to tug on Shane's sleeve but he withdrew his arm to avoid her touch, a disgusted look upon
his face.
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to, do you understand?” He stalked off.
Jacqueline gazed at his departing figure, her mouth half opened as if to speak. For some unknown reason, she
thought the better of it and opted to remain silent.
She breathed in deeply and clenched her fists. Her eyes were hard to read.
She knew that she had gone too far this time. Her actions had incurred Shane's displeasure and disappointment. It
was evident by how he had allowed her to leave in advance.
I must find a way to obtain Shane's forgiveness and repair his impression of me if it's the last thing I do!
As she thought it through, Jacqueline regained control of herself. She suddenly caught sight of the teddy bear in her
arms. Fighting the urge to fling it across the room, she followed Shane into the restaurant.
The family of four was having their dinner.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtJacqueline's eyes grew cold as they had supped before having the courtesy to ask her. However, she put on a
forced smile and joined them. Facing the teddy bear toward Sharon, Jacqueline said, “Sharon, I know that I have
been mean to you. Will you forgive me? Here's a cute teddy bear for you. Would you like to keep it?” She coaxed
the child in her most alluring voice as she dangled the bear in front of Sharon.
Sharon merely let out a “Hmph!” and looked away without even a glance at the teddy bear. “No. I don't want
presents from mean people.”
Connor, who was sitting beside Sharon, failed to stifle a laugh.
Jacqueline shook with anger and humiliation.
She forced the surging ball of rage down her stomach and gave a helpless smile. “Then what can I do to earn your
forgiveness?”
If she could obtain the girl's forgiveness, Shane would definitely change his mind.
“I will never ever forgive you,” Sharon said with a pout.
Jacqueline's eyes flashed dangerously.
This stupid kid is pissing me off!
Natalie observed Jacqueline's attempts to get on Sharon's good side but did not interfere.
She saw it as an opportunity for Sharon to learn to deliver rejections firmly.
Natalie and Shane, the other adults, observed the scene without a word.
Eventually, Jacqueline lapsed into a defeated silence.
She did not expect a young child to be this determined.
“That's enough. Jacqueline, I want you to get an early night's rest after dinner.” At the sight of her despair, Shane
intervened out of pity for her.
Jacqueline grunted in response, still too dejected to speak.
After dinner, Natalie sent the children to their bedrooms and followed Shane into theirs.
On their way up, Natalie turned to Shane. “Shane, do you think that it was overly harsh of me to not want Sharon to
forgive Ms. Graham?”
“No,” Shane replied shortly. “The choice to forgive somebody is a right belonging to everyone. Besides, Jacqueline
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwas the one at fault.”
Natalie felt much more at ease after hearing his response.
“That's good, then. I had thought that you would take Ms. Graham's side.” Natalie smiled.
“Can't you see whose side I'm on?” Shane said as he pushed open the door.
Natalie followed him in. “Of course I can. You're on my side,” Natalie teased. “I'm going in for a shower.”
Grabbing her pajamas, she strode into the bathroom.
Shane grunted in acknowledgment and proceeded to undo his tie.
At that moment, his phone rang.
Shane loosened his tie and checked his phone to discover that Jackson was calling him.
Shane's eyes flashed. “Is this about Jacqueline?” He asked before Jackson said a word.
Jackson was surprised that he had managed to deduce the topic of discussion. He pulled a coy face. “You arrived
there rather quickly, didn't you? Let me ask you something. Did you hurt her?”
“Hurt her?” Shane raised his eyebrows incredulously.
“You heard me.” Jackson nodded.
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