After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 111

Lilith was completely blindsided by Aria’s words. She had always known that Gideon would never allow Aria to make their relationship public.

That was why she had dared to be so brazen with her provocations.

As soon as Aria finished speaking, the entire venue fell into a dead silence.

It was as if no one could believe what they had just heard.

Brother? Adopted sister?

If that was the case, then Aria’s identity was…

All eyes shifted in unison to Lilith’s hand, which was still linked with Gideon’s arm.

Lilith, embarrassed, let go of his arm. “Gideon…”

Gideon’s brow furrowed.

He wanted Aria to handle this gracefully, not like this.

He and Lilith had a completely platonic relationship. What Aria said would put Lilith in an impossible position.

She was already ill, which made her more emotionally fragile.

Was this deliberate retaliation?

Aria’s lips curved into a smirk. “Gideon, you two certainly like to play with fire.”

“Aria, you’re taking this too far,” Gideon said, frowning as he pulled Aria to his side. “Lilith and I have known each other since we were kids. We've always been close like this.”

Gideon was already suppressing his anger by offering an explanation.

Aria knew when to quit while she was ahead. She was still waiting for Gideon to buy her things so she could scrape together enough money to cut ties with the Rowan family for good.

“I was just kidding,” Aria said with a smile, turning to Lilith. “Who would be shameless enough to actually seduce their own sister’s husband, right, Lilith?”

Lilith swayed on her feet, and Charles immediately reached out to steady her. “Lilith is a simple person. She’ll take your words to heart. A joke like that isn’t funny.”

“Isn’t it obvious to everyone whether I’m joking or not? Why are you getting so worked up?”

Aria linked her arm with Gideon’s. “Are we going to bid or not?”

This was the first time Aria had voluntarily gotten close to him in days. Gideon’s thoughts wavered for a moment, and he instinctively squeezed her hand. “Yes.”

She remembered what Charles had said earlier; his entire reason for being here was for this scroll.

A fragmented one at that.

“See anything you like?” Gideon asked. “Which one do you want?”

“Just browsing. This necklace looks nice.”

“Got it.”

Watching the two of them talk, Lilith couldn’t help but interrupt. “What did you pick, Aria? Can I see?”

Charles was texting on his phone. He glanced up when he heard them speaking, then went back to his message.

[Charles: How is the evidence submission going? When can Flora get out?]

[Lawyer: It’s going smoothly. As soon as you send me the medical report, we can post bail.]

Charles closed the chat and opened Flora's medical reports from the past few years, a sharp ache tightening in his chest.

Because of a failed medical experiment, Flora suffered from excruciating pain during her period every month. Her cycle was due any day now, and if she wasn't out by then…