After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 186

“Aria, can I stay here? My father is trying to force me to marry someone, claiming that a wedding is some archaic ritual to change my fortunes… But I don’t want to get married at all!”

Lilith’s eyes were red and heavy from hours of crying. She was still wearing a hospital gown under a jacket she had thrown on.

She looked pitiful and helpless.

And Gideon always fell for this kind of act.

“I don’t run this house. You don’t need to ask me; I’m not in charge.”

Besides the fact that Aldous Evernight was still the patriarch of the family, Eveline was sitting right beside Lilith. Aria’s input wasn’t needed at all.

Still, Lilith’s timing was impeccable.

The old man usually went to bed at nine o’clock sharp. By showing up now, wasn’t she just trying to avoid the unpredictable patriarch?

Eveline had already told Lilith she could stay. How could Aria say no?

“Lilith can stay in a guest room for a few days. I’ll handle her affairs, and then she can go home.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me. I have no objections.”

“Aria, thank you…” Lilith whispered. “For taking me in.”

Aria rolled her eyes internally, but then she remembered she was gathering evidence of Gideon’s infidelity. “You can stay in the guest room across from Gideon’s,” she added. “That way, it’ll be easier for him to look after you.”

Gideon frowned. “What’s gotten into you?”

This level of generosity was completely out of character for Aria.

Eveline also looked as if she had seen a ghost.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Aria looked at Gideon, her tone perfectly reasonable. “I just think you know her medical condition best. She’ll feel safer if you’re close by.”

This was not something a wife should be magnanimous about, yet Gideon couldn’t find a way to refute Aria’s words.

After all, he had been the one to insist on it first.

“Then it’s settled.” As if in a fit of pique, Gideon said to a servant, “Prepare the guest room closest to mine.”

“It’s alright. I’m used to it. I used to cook for my family.”

Hearing this only made Eveline’s heart ache more.

Such a poor child. She had a hard life growing up, and just when she was finally acknowledged by the Rowan family, she was struck with a serious illness at such a young age.

What a cruel fate!

“Aria, aren’t you ashamed? If I were you, I wouldn’t have the nerve to show my face in front of Lilith!”

Seeing Aria only made Eveline angrier.

She wasn't as sensible or sweet as Lilith, and yet she was healthier.

“What do I have to be ashamed of? My conscience is clear.”

Aria glanced at the breakfast Lilith had prepared and smirked.

“Just a heads-up, Gideon is allergic to fresh-squeezed orange juice.”