After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 152

Helena gritted her teeth. "Aria! You really are a jinx! Get her out of my house!"

Several servants moved to act.

"Madam Helena, no one knows the full story yet. It's too early to jump to conclusions."

Raphael stood protectively in front of Aria. His voice was quiet, but no one dared to come any closer.

The single, soft-spoken sentence carried an immense weight of pressure.

It was a stark contrast to his calm and detached demeanor, yet the sharpness in his eyes was impossible to ignore.

"Besides, I consider Aria to be our family's lucky charm."

Aria had grown accustomed to being called a "jinx," a "waste of money," and an "ungrateful daughter." It was the first time anyone had ever called her a "lucky charm."

She hugged Rufus a little tighter and looked up at Raphael.

After speaking, Raphael knelt down to help Aria up, then took Rufus into his own arms without a hint of disgust.

"The priority right now is getting him medical attention. Even if the Brent family doesn't investigate this, the Evernight family will not let it go."

Raphael looked at Helena. "Madam Helena, we will be back later."

With that, he carried Rufus and led Aria away.

Aria couldn't remember the last time someone had defended her so publicly.

Her eyes began to sting.

"Don't touch them." Raphael, holding Rufus with one arm, used his other hand to catch Aria's wrist as she went to wipe her tears. "You could get an infection."

Raphael's touch was cooler than an ordinary person's. By the time Aria registered it, he had already pulled his hand away.

After placing Rufus in the back seat, he handed Aria a wet wipe.

Without any delay, Raphael drove directly to the nearest veterinary hospital.

"If there's a next life, don't be a dog again. And don't ever meet me..."

"Why would you say that?" Raphael disagreed. "He was happy, wasn't he? To have you by his side at the end. Would his life have been better without you? You didn't cause his death, but he gave his love to you. Are you going to throw that away now?"

Aria froze.

She hadn't thought of it that way...

Perhaps it was a matter of perspective. She blamed herself for not taking better care of Rufus, but from Rufus's point of view, he had Aria with him at the end of his life.

"Yes, you're right." Aria wiped her tears away. "I can't think like that!"

Rufus was gone. The only thing she could do now was get justice for him.

And she still had the evidence of Harold's harassment. She wouldn't hide it any longer. She was going to make sure Rufus got the justice he deserved.

"I'm going back to the Brents' house right now!"