After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 267

Aldous's rigid expression finally cracked. His ultimate goal was to ensure Dawn would intervene when the genetic disease inevitably claimed Raphael or Gideon. He needed that miracle.

He used to hold a deep prejudice against Aria. He hated the manipulative way she had married into the family, and he despised the ten million dollars Roxanne had extorted from them as a condition of the marriage. But he recently learned Aria had been completely innocent on both fronts. She hadn't drugged Gideon, and she had never asked for a dime. Instead of holding a grudge, she had actually stepped up and saved his life.

Aldous's gaze drifted over Aria's slender frame, briefly resting on her stomach. She had lost a one-month-old baby, and its own father had practically been an accomplice in its death. At the end of the day, the Evernight family had failed her miserably.

If it weren't for the impending doom of their genetic curse...

Aldous let out a heavy, defeated sigh. "Aria, our family failed you. You are a truly good girl."

He knew perfectly well that forcing someone to stay in a toxic marriage would only breed resentment. But if the Evernight family let her slip away, their chances of finding Dawn would vanish like smoke. For decades, Alden Reaves had exhausted every resource trying to cure their genetic disease, and he had made absolutely zero progress. It wasn't that Alden lacked skill; the disease was simply too complex.

But Dawn was different. Dawn was a once-in-a-century genius.

Aldous looked up, meeting Raphael's solemn gaze. He placed a frail, trembling hand over Raphael's. He was over eighty years old, with one foot already in the grave. He had lived a full life with no regrets. But Raphael and Gideon were different. Raphael had lost his mother at a young age, and Gideon had lost his father. Both boys had suffered enough. He just wanted them to have a chance at a long, healthy life.

"How exactly did we fail her? Dad, don't forget you gave her a massive chunk of shares in the Evernight Group! That's more money than she could ever dream of making in ten lifetimes," Eveline muttered under her breath. "If I were her, I'd consider three years of marriage for that kind of payout an absolute steal."

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