Chapter: 426

Bethany chuckled and texted back. "Got it; thanks for the company's care."

"You should be thanking me!" Ryan replied with a smirking emoji. “How was the breakfast? It was my first attempt at cooking, and I sampled it before giving it to you. It's edible and definitely not poisonous."

“Tasty, but maybe don't cook again." Bethany appreciated his effort and had actually eaten the breakfast, feeling it would be rude to discard it.

However, the flavor couldn't compare to Jonathan's culinary skills.

"So, you're saying it wasn't good. No worries. I'll practice my cooking while you're away. Next time, I'll impress you."

Bethany felt a mix of amusement and helplessness.

Ryan, she knew, was a shrewd businessman; he had to be to manage such a large company. Yet, his schemes never felt manipulative.

As a friend, he was excellent, and Bethany had learned much from him about managing relationships. But as for anything deeper, she wasn't prepared for that.

It wasn't that Ryan was lacking; she simply wasn't ready.

Bethany had contemplated giving her son and daughter a complete family over the years.

However, Jonathan was too exceptional, leaving no room in her heart for anyone else. Gradually, she let go of that idea.

Perhaps if she didn't have her two children, she might have considered giving Ryan a chance due to his persistent efforts to win her over. But as a mother, she couldn't.

Even if Ryan could be a good stepfather, Bethany didn't want anyone to take Jonathan's place as their father.

He had done nothing to deserve that. He was blameless.

Bethany was acutely aware of this.

For her business trip to Brokdon, Bethany chose to stay near Woodhill Road.

The one place there that held sentimental value for her was the school.

It was there that she had the chance to study and glimpse a world beyond her part-time jobs, the life appropriate for someone her age.

It was also where she first met Jonathan.

After checking into her hotel, Bethany went straight to the fast-food restaurant where she used to work.

Years had passed, and it appeared they had renovated. The exterior was updated, and there was a new sign.

Bethany entered, and this time, the owner's wife, Bettie Natt, recognized her right away.

“Are you...Bethany, the young girl who used to work here?"

"Yes, it's me, Bettie," Bethany replied, smiling as she pulled out a chair to sit. She surveyed the revamped interior, which was now much cleaner and more organized. "When did you remodel the place?"