His Forbidden Desire

k immediately upon hearing the f

ently shown kindness, patience, and a willingness to overlook her

, her heart pounding as

e line, and then her mother's voice spoke agai

nd Jade's throat tightened. She bit her bottom lip, h

r mother to hear how much she had been struggling al

sound as convincing as possible. But her v

to get my phone num

now. She stammered as she spoke, the

her sigh, one that seemed to carry so much

our necklace has a trac

ng enough to stand on your own two feet." Ja

nst the delicate chain around her neck, the same necklace her parents had given her when she

d in the necklace, allowed them to find her in case of an emergency, in case sh

ng through her thoughts. "We let you go, Jade

e just let you leave." Jade felt the sharp sting of guilt pierce her hear

h as a word to anyone. Without a th

back. But now, hearing the sorrow in her

We need you here. We won't ask about Crown's father. We don't care about that,

these years, all the silence, all the distance, h

her added, her tone now desperate. "Don't think twic

a blow to the chest. Sh

parents, of trying to make a life on her own,

everything began. A part of her wanted

people who had always loved her, even when she didn't deserve

come home. We all need you." Jade's heart lurched at the words. Her father. She hadn'

crush her. Her knees felt weak, and she had to

he idea of returning to the Philippines, to the life she had left behind-it terrified her. B

now this is hard," her mother con

to meet Crown. I promise, Jade, he won't interfere in your life. He

d hold her father so she could apologize for everything she had done. But

ally, even when she had run away. Her mot

. We miss you so much." Jade wiped her eyes, tryin

y," she said, her voice steady but filled with emoti

o much!" Jade felt a pang of guilt as s

been the source of so much heartache. An

voice quiet but sincere. "I should be the one apo

gry, but I promise he won't turn his back on you. All we want is to be with our da

a chance for reconciliation. She coul

ade said, her voice fil

and I'll take Crown with me. I'll be there as soon as

his grandma and grandpa. We're so excited to meet him." Jade smiled

And I'm sorry." The call ended, and Jade sat the

had carried for so long was finally being set down. She had made the

ay?" Jade turned to Beth, a wide smile on

ngry anymore." Beth's eyes softened with understan

home. They want to meet you, Crown."

?! When,

told Crown stories of her parents- the things she missed abou

voice tinged with sadness. "But I'll miss yo

ten! Or you can come to visit us in the Philipp

will. Thank

hank you, Beth. You've done so much for us. I'll never forget it. I'll be f

appy. I'll miss you, but I know you won't forge

w one thing for certain: no matter what happened next, no

to face Crown's father, she would do whatever it took to p