The Road Remembers Everything

Stand there and do nothing?

A bitter laugh slipped out.

When I found out Jayden had pulled every rescue team away to save Cassidy Yard's daughter, I'd asked him the same thing.

How could another kid matter more than his own daughter?

Back then, he'd been terrifyingly calm.

"I looked at both girls' conditions. Maya was in better shape than Tina, so Tina needed help first. None of us wanted Maya to die. It was an accident. I'm devastated too."

Devastated.

Yet after I filed for divorce, he married Cassidy without looking back.

Now I asked, "Mr. Boone, Tina isn't your biological daughter, right? If it were your own child up there, would you go?"

"Of course." Not a second of hesitation. "Biological or not, she's my daughter. I already treat her like my own. If it were my biological child, I'd give up everything I own. Even my life."

Then he laughed coldly. "You looked into me, didn't you?

"Since you know I'm the chairman of Boone Corp, you should understand this is a good deal for you. I can make it five million. Someone like you won't see that kind of money in a lifetime.

"Be smart. Take the opportunity instead of dragging your husband and kids down with your pride."

I smiled. "You're a devoted father."

I've dreamed of Maya more times than I can count.

Every time, she asks the same question.

Why didn't Dad choose me?

Why did he save someone else's daughter?

I never have an answer.

Because I know the truth.

He never loved me.

And the child I gave him was never going to come first.

"Five million is a lot," I said. "But I don't need it. Find someone else."

I hung up and switched off my phone.

The second I stepped outside, the rest of the team rushed over.

Faye blocked my path. "You can't leave. Do you know whose daughter is trapped up there? The Boone family's. The Yard family's. We can't afford to make enemies of people like that."

Of course I knew.

Jayden and Cassidy's marriage had been celebrated all over the internet.

Nobody remembered Maya.

Nobody remembered me.

"Jayden Boone may be Tina's stepfather, but he treats her like his own. He runs Boone Corp. He's the richest man in Aster City. Cassidy Yard is a famous doctor. People like them could crush us without even trying."

Celine's eyes were red.

"They found out about Andy's kidney failure. They promised a transplant within a week if you take the rescue."

Wanda pulled her son forward, tears streaming down her face. "Ms. Steele, please. I'll do anything. He's my only child. Please save Andy."

Andy was pale and painfully thin.

He wrapped his arms around my leg.

"Ms. Steele... I want to live."

Jayden hadn't changed.

He still knew exactly where to press.

And he was still just as ruthless.

I lit a cigarette. My voice came out hoarse. "My daughter died on this day."

Faye immediately nodded. "We know. After the rescue, we'll all visit Maya together."

"Please," Wanda sobbed. "You've saved so many children. Save Andy too. This is his only chance."

Before I could answer, an engine roared nearby.

A car pulled up in front of us.

The door opened.

Jayden stepped out, his sharp gaze locking onto my face.