The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 261

Garnett Harper sat in the backseat, gazing out the window.

The night market's string lights formed a flowing band of color, sliding past the car window. Red, yellow, blue, in clusters, just like that summer after evening study hall.

During his sophomore year of high school, he had passed by the night market one evening after class.

Saul Joplin from the neighboring class had applied to skip evening study hall to help his family make ends meet, setting up a stall at the night market selling phone accessories.

That night, Saul's stall had been smashed, a group of thugs shoving him around. Saul had blocked them, a little girl cowering behind him.

The little girl's school uniform had been washed until it was faded, the cuffs frayed. Her ponytail was half-undone, loose strands clinging to her face.

She had wanted to rush out and help Saul, but she was too scared, taking a step forward only to retreat.

Looking at that little girl, he had felt a rare pang of sympathy.

His father knew the local police chief and had taken him to dinner with him before.

He had taken out his phone and called the chief. The chief had rushed over with a few officers, and the matter was quickly resolved.

As he was leaving, he had glanced back.

The little girl in her school uniform had been staring at him blankly. The moment their eyes met, she had quickly looked away, staring down at her sneakers.

He hadn't taken it to heart. It was just a small favor.

Later, he had noticed every time she walked past his classroom holding a thermos.

At the time, he hadn't known that the little girl would later become his wife. Even less did he know that they would go from family to strangers once again.

"Garnett?" Sigrid Sloan's voice came from beside him. "What are you looking at?"

Garnett didn't speak.

His gaze fell outside the car window. Suddenly, a familiar figure entered his field of vision.

At the edge of the night market, Charley Sheffield stood in the crowd, a girl beside him.

She was holding a giant purple Lina Bell plushie, her face completely hidden.

"Lovell, slow down," Garnett said flatly.

The car slowed, the crunch of tires rolling over the pavement becoming distinct.

He watched Charley from afar, his eyes growing cold.

That girl holding the plushie had to be his fiancée, right? He had seen her twice, but had never paid attention, and to this day didn't know what she looked like.

The car crept forward. The lights of the night market slowly slid across the window like running water.

Perhaps tired of holding it, the girl lowered her arms a bit, her face peeking out from behind Lina Bell.

The light illuminated her face, casting a soft glow over her sweet features.

It was Lavinia Joplin.

Garnett froze.

He had his legs crossed, his hands resting loosely on his knee. Now, his fingers closed one by one, clenching tight, the veins bulging on the back of his hand.

"Stop the car!" Garnett shouted.

The driver, Lovell, jumped in shock and slammed on the brakes.

"Mr. Harper, I can't stop here." Lovell was in the middle of the road and needed to pull over, but traffic was heavy, and he couldn't get over.

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