After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 127

Lilith's eyes darted between the three of them.

"Aria, Rufus is old. He can't handle all this stress. If you really care about him, you can come here every day to see him."

"Shut up," Aria snapped, then scooped Rufus back into her arms. "I'm taking him with me today."

If he stayed with the Brent family, it would just give Roxanne more leverage over her.

Besides, Flora would be around. If Charles could tie Rufus up and neglect him for her today, what would he do tomorrow?

Aria refused to let her thoughts go there.

"Aria, who gave you permission to take him?"

Helena had returned to the living room to find it empty. After asking a servant, she learned everyone was in the back garden.

All for a dog.

"Put him down."

Aria bit her lip. "Grandma, Rufus is sick. Please, let me take him…"

Helena's disdain was no longer hidden, her gaze stabbing into Aria. "You bring nothing but bad luck. I'm not your grandmother."

Aria's face went pale.

She had expected Helena to dislike her, but she never imagined the contempt would be this strong.

Then again, it made sense. Roxanne had been on the verge of death several times because of her. She wasn't a real Rowan, and she had indirectly caused Lilith so much suffering.

It was only natural for Helena to hate her.

"Grandma, Aria is just really worried about Rufus. Didn't you say this was the dog she raised since she was little? He's very important to her!"

Lilith snuggled into Helena's arms, acting coy.

"Since Aria wants to take him, just let her."

"Lilith, you're still too kind."

Helena stroked Lilith's gaunt cheek, her heart aching. The more she thought about all the suffering Lilith had endured, the angrier she got looking at Aria.

As for Charles…

He hadn't pleaded for the dog before, but now that it was about to be put down, he spoke up.

Was it lingering affection?

Whatever the reason, Gideon didn't want to see it.

He forcefully pulled the dog from Aria's arms, then wrapped his own arms around her. "We're going home."

Rufus whimpered and wagged his tail at Aria, his body heavy and weak.

Aria struggled. "I'm not leaving! I said I'm taking Rufus with me!"

"One hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, a million! Name your price…"

She was broke, with a thirty-million-dollar debt she hadn't even begun to pay off, but Aria couldn't stand by and watch Rufus suffer here.

She could always make more money. But if something happened to Rufus, all the money in the world would be useless.