After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 133

Since Aria had said so, Raphael no longer hesitated and nodded in agreement.

"If you need anything at all, you can come to me."

Raphael's words reminded Aria of her most pressing issue.

"Raphael, I actually do have a problem, but… it's a personal matter."

Raphael paused. He had been standing at her door, intending only to discuss research. Hearing her words, he figured she must be in some kind of trouble.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought it up with him.

"This isn't the place to talk. Follow me."

Aria quickly nodded.

She felt a bit strange herself.

She clearly wanted nothing to do with the Evernight family, but after Raphael had helped her several times, she found herself speaking up instinctively.

She followed Raphael to a greenhouse in the back garden of the ancestral home.

The warmth that enveloped her instantly chased away the chill from her body.

Inside the greenhouse, a vibrant array of flowers was in full bloom, many of them out of season.

For a moment, Aria was captivated. "Why are there so many flowers?"

Raphael expertly watered one of the plants.

"It's a personal hobby of mine. I started growing them for fun when I was sick, and it just stuck."

Aria had heard a few things about Raphael during her childhood with the Rowan family.

Old Mrs. Evernight had a child late in life specifically to provide cord blood to save Gideon's father, which meant Raphael was born prematurely.

His health was poor to begin with, compounded by the Evernight family's genetic disease.

As a result, Raphael had been frail and sickly since he was a child.

She'd heard he was sent abroad for treatment from a very young age and had only recently returned.

It seemed his health had improved considerably.

"And now? How is your health?"

At Raphael's question, Aria put down her cup, looking troubled. "I need to get my research bonus and salary as soon as possible."

Raphael's fingers paused. "Short on cash?"

Aria nodded, a little embarrassed. "Yes, I need the money for something urgent."

"May I ask the reason? Even to apply to the higher-ups, a specific reason is required, especially for an advance on the bonus."

Indeed, the research hadn't even begun, and here she was, already thinking about the bonus for its success.

But she had no choice. This was her only way to earn money at the moment.

If she wanted to sever ties with Roxanne quickly, she had to get the money as soon as possible.

"I… I want to disown my family."

Saying the words out loud, Aria felt a great weight lift from her shoulders.

Perhaps it was the comforting atmosphere here. Aria gave him a rough outline of her plan to cut ties with her family, though she didn't mention anything about the Evernights.

After all, Raphael was still an Evernight.