The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 496 She Could Not Stomach It

Blake and Avery continued chatting for a while. After ascertaining that his granddaughter's condition was not too serious, he finally felt more at ease.

As Alina gazed at her niece, who was still calm despite lying in a hospital bed, her thoughts flew to the events that had transpired at the engagement party. Finally, she gave voice to her curiosity. “During the engagement party, what exactly happened between you and Cayden? Why did you break things off halfway through the party? I know you're a sensible person and would never act so impulsively unless it was something serious. Can you tell me why you did so?”

A sad and disappointed look flashed across Avery's pale face at those words. “I was probably just a little afraid of marriage. I'm terrified of walking into the grave of love. I'm also fearful about my life revolving around one person after marriage and worry that I'll lose myself. I've seen many cases of women who are strong, independent, and excel at their work while single. After getting married, however, their lives become centered around cooking, cleaning, and children. Some even lose their individuality and self-worth. I don't want to become like that...”

That's a lie. I just don't want Grandpa and Aunt Alina to worry about me. After all, Grandpa is in poor health. What if his blood pressure rises after he finds out I was threatened, causing him to fall ill again? As for Aunt Alina, she has quite a short temper. If she learns the truth, she might storm off to confront Nicole in anger. And if the situation gets ugly, things will blow up and spiral out of control.

Alina did not sense anything amiss about Avery's explanation. After all, she had always viewed Avery as an honest and truthful person ever since the latter was a young child. Nonetheless, she could not help thinking that her niece had behaved too willfully by breaking off the engagement for that reason alone.

She shook her head while sighing. Half amused and exasperated, she replied reproachfully, “You little scallywag. You're so used to being spoiled by your grandfather that you've become rather willful. An engagement is a big deal, so how could you call it quits just like that? Besides, marriage is such a sacred covenant. Why are you describing it as the grave of love? Of course, my marriage now is no booming success, so I'm not qualified to preach at you. Despite all that, I still think it's a beautiful thing when a woman marries the person she loves. I also trust Cayden's character and abilities. Judging from how doting he is to you, he'll never let you suffer miserably, even after you've become husband and wife.”

The corners of Avery's lips curled upward in a faint smile that seemed to be of mingled bitterness and helplessness. “I know what I did was wrong. Whenever I encountered problems in the past, I always liked shouldering them alone and keeping my pain to myself. I'd rather suffer in silence than share how I felt. However, things are going to be different now. From now on, I'll tell Cayden or talk to you or Grandpa if something's bothering me. I won't behave so recklessly again.”

“All right. Stop reprimanding Ery. My darling granddaughter needs consolation after getting involved in a serious car accident, so why are you saying such things to her? No matter what she decides to do, I support her. Even if she does break up with Cayden, that's all right by me. My granddaughter is beautiful, studied abroad, and is good at her job. It won't be difficult for her to make a good match. Besides, look at the Moore family. Only a few of them are normal. Cayden's mother, in particular, is especially hostile. If Ery marries into their family, she'll surely suffer at that woman's hands.” Blake's love for his granddaughter knew no bounds, and everything she did was right in his eyes.

“Dad, she acts like this because you spoil her. Ah, it's impossible to reason with you two.” Alina cleared her throat, then could not resist continuing to lecture Avery. “Ery, a woman can be willful, but there must be boundaries. Everyone has limits to their tolerance. As long as one has a good grasp of those limits, one will succeed in keeping the love and novelty alive in a marriage.”

“Okay, Aunt Alina. I'll keep that in mind,” Avery replied, nodding repeatedly at her aunt's teachings like a good student. “Oh, by the way, Nina stepped out to get me dinner, but I don't know why she isn't back yet. I've tried calling her but couldn't get through. Could you go outside and help me check if she's back?”

“Sure. I'll check outside the hospital and call you after I've found Nina.” As Alina spoke, she got to her feet and walked toward the door. Then, she turned around to ask Blake, “What do you feel like eating, Dad? I'll go out and buy some.”

“I don't have much appetite. You can just buy anything you like. Get some sweet soup for Ery. She likes sweet stuff,” requested Blake specifically.

“Okay.”

Outside the hospital, Nina was heading toward the building while carrying a large plastic bag filled with takeout. As she passed the parking lot of a large shopping mall, she suddenly spotted Aaron getting out of a luxury car.

Then, a breathtakingly beautiful woman with a shapely figure and long, wavy hair emerged from the car. Her eyes and haughty expression looked familiar. Isn't she the woman who humiliated me when I was at the hospital and forced to undergo surgery? She's Aaron's so-called fiancée, Courtney, right?

She watched Courtney link arms with Aaron while walking happily toward the shopping mall. The sight of them brought back the painful memories of what she had suffered at the hospital and the fetus that had been forcibly aborted.