After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 39

"That was just Aria's way of trying to win Gideon over. As his wife, it was her duty anyway."

Eveline, who had been listening ever since Gideon returned, was incensed to hear the old man defending Aria.

"Dad, don't you forget, Aria used dirty tricks to get into the Evernight family in the first place!"

Because Eveline's husband had died young, leaving her to raise the family's heir, the old man had always turned a blind eye to her behavior.

But this matter was too important, and this time, he did not indulge her.

"Shut up," the old man snapped. "Will you only be satisfied when you've forced these two to divorce?"

Eveline was indignant but quieted down under his rarely seen sharp tone, muttering, "She was never good enough for Gideon anyway…"

"I didn't drug him."

Even though she knew no one would believe her, Aria wanted to explain it one more time.

When the incident happened, Old Mr. Evernight had found her before Gideon did and immediately suggested that Gideon take responsibility.

Aria had been the one to refuse.

She knew Gideon didn't like her and had an old flame he couldn't forget.

It was Old Mr. Evernight who insisted, claiming the Evernight family's reputation was at stake and that Gideon had to be held accountable.

Now Aria could see that the old man had simply used the situation to exert control over Gideon.

"Grandfather, you know what happened back then. I only married Gideon because you kept persuading me, so I hope you'll tell the truth."

"If you didn't drug me, then why were you the one in my bed? And that glass of wine—didn't you hand it to me?"

Gideon's face hardened.

Aria felt a profound sense of helplessness.

Even if his grandfather corroborated her story now, Gideon would probably just think he was making it up to prevent the divorce.

"Gideon, I don't have much time left."

The old man's face was etched with sorrow. His sharp eyes had grown cloudy, and his voice lacked its usual force.

"I just want to hold my great-grandchild in my lifetime."

In Gideon's hands was the bleak reality of Silas Evernight’s deteriorating health report.

His health reports had shown a steady decline over the years. His body had reached its limit, and now his heart was failing.

He was too old for a heart stent surgery. Besides taking medication, there was nothing to do but wait for the end.

Old Mr. Evernight sighed. "The doctor said I only have a few years left. Even if you want to divorce Aria, can you please wait until I'm gone?"

"Why does it have to be Aria?"

Old Mr. Evernight didn't answer the question. "Just consider it my dying wish!"