Chapter 15

I had never seen Ian so humble. It was as if my answer truly meant everything to him. If not for all that had happened in the past, anyone would've believed he loved me deeply. I began, "Ian, I…" "Mom! I brought the ice cream back!" Shawn's voice cut in just as I was about to turn him down. With no other choice, I swallowed my words, deciding to explain everything another time. … After the meal, I brought Shawn back to the house Ian had bought nearby, but he clung tightly to me and refused to let go. "No! I don't want you to leave. If you go, you won't come back, will you?" Shawn said. He kicked and squirmed in my arms, completely unwilling to let me go. I shot Ian a pleading look, but he deliberately avoided my gaze. That was when it hit me. Shawn must've been doing all this under his instruction. With a sigh, I tried to reason with Shawn. But he suddenly burst into tears, rubbing his eyes as he sobbed uncontrollably. "I know I was wrong, so why are you still leaving? You