By the roadside...

"Michael, if we had been brave enough back then, would things have turned out differently for us now?" Jacinda wiped the tears from her eyes, looking at him with longing, asking, "Do we still have a chance between us?"

She held her breath, awaiting Michael's response.

In Jacinda's mind, Michael agreeing to attend the Palmer family banquet meant that he still couldn't let go of her deep down.

Michael's voice was cold as he replied, "Jacinda, I've long since given up on you. Everything you're facing now is just the consequences of your own actions. There's no possibility between us anymore."

Jacinda stood as if struck by...