After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 109

Gideon wasn't short on money.

But when it came to Aria, it was a different matter.

"My child will naturally have the best of everything." Gideon patted Aria's belly. "When they're born, the Evernight family fortune will all be theirs."

Another empty promise.

Useless.

Aria pushed Gideon's hand away and lay down. "I need to rest. You can leave now."

Her mood soured the moment the money was off the table.

Gideon sat on the edge of her bed. "How much money do you want?"

He wasn't a fool. He knew that Aria bringing up money at this moment meant she wanted it for herself.

That was fine. He didn't mind.

Consider it a reward for her pregnancy.

Aria pressed her lips together, not saying a word.

She had originally thought Gideon might give her ten million, and she could try to borrow the rest.

But now that Gideon was putting it this way, if she asked for exactly ten million, would he become suspicious?

She had slaved away for the Evernight family for three years. The Evernight's family doctor had a starting salary of at least five million a year.

By that logic, Aria, having taken care of Gideon, should have been paid at least fifteen million.

She had never asked Gideon for a single dollar because she used to think they were family, and there was no need to keep score.

Things were different now.

They were on the verge of divorce. It was time to settle accounts.

"How much can you give me?"

"There's an auction tomorrow. Come with me. I'll buy you anything you like."

"What time tomorrow?"

Her work at the research institute was just starting to show progress; she didn't want to waste too much time.

Was Gideon taking her to an auction because he didn't want her to cash out the items?

But Aria had plenty of connections. There were many ways to liquidate assets.

"Seven in the evening."

"Fine."

The timing was perfect. It wouldn't interfere with her work at the institute.

***

"Just arrived." Gideon sized Aria up. "Have you eaten?"

Aria paused for a moment, then answered honestly, "No."

She had been so engrossed in her research that she had only taken a few bites of lunch after Mira reminded her.

But she wasn't hungry right now.

"We're late for the auction, aren't we?"

Gideon raised an eyebrow and opened the car door. "I had them postpone it. Do you want to get something to eat first?"

Aria shook her head.

Gideon didn't say anything else, instead taking a dessert from the car's mini-fridge and handing it to Aria.

"Here, eat this. It's not cold."

Aria's heart skipped a beat.

Not because she was moved, but because it reminded her of a social media post Lilith had made two years ago.

The picture was of a hand just like this, offering her a small cake.

The caption read: "I said I wanted a small cake, and now his car is always stocked with them."

It dawned on her belatedly that the 'he' was Gideon.