Chapter 11
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Nicole froze, looking at him with startled delight. “Really?”
Her warm tears trickled down Aaron’s neck.
Many years ago, when he’d agreed to let their parents send her abroad, he’d felt her tears like this.
Back then, his emotions surged like volcanic lava.
He loved Nicole, loved her for many years.
And held back for many years.
Finally broke through that fear holding him back and took the leap.
But why didn’t he feel relieved?
Why didn’t he feel that old excitement?
Aaron said “yes,” his emotions flat as a plain.
Then Nicole held him tight, her tears flowing fiercer.
Next morning, Aaron came downstairs to find Nicole directing servants to toss things out.
“Brother, this is our home now. I’ll redecorate it our way.”
Aaron looked at the mural in the trash-the one he and Ashley painted together, plus Ray’s artwork.
“Bro? You’re not happy?”
Nicole looked cautiously at him, signaling the maid to rehang the item on the wall.
“No, do whatever you like.” Aaron said. Before leaving for work, he couldn’t help glancing at the trash can twice.
Nicole was a woman of action, immediately putting marriage on the agenda.
She’d liked Aaron for so many years, he was the one who’d wronged her, and he’d always liked her too.
Logically, it made sense.
Aaron agreed, but didn’t share Nicole’s excitement.
Only when remembering Ashley-that woman who’d so ruthlessly left him-did he wonder how she would feel upon suddenly hearing he was remarrying.
Would she regret it? Would she rush to stop the wedding?
Only now did he feel a flicker of emotion about his second marriage.
If she came, he thought he’d give her a chance.
After all, they had Rui. The child couldn’t be without a father or without a mother.
The child needed a complete family.
“Married? When?”
In Australia, Ashley wasn’t surprised when she heard about Aaron and Nicole from a friend.
“Next week,” the friend said.
Ashley instinctively checked her phone messages; her last contact with the private investigator was yesterday.
He’d confirmed Nicole killed Aaron’s father using the same method she’d used to make Rui accidentally take blood pressure meds.
Ashley tossed fish food into the pond and brushed the crumbs off her hands.
“I need the address. I want to give them a very special gift when the time comes.”
Aaron’s mother had passed away early, and his father raised him alone-their bond ran deep.
Ashley wondered what expression Aaron would wear upon learning how his father died.
Ding.
Her phone chimed with a message from private investigator Bruce.
Ashley opened it immediately. Only six words:
“Good morning. Have you eaten?”
A
”
”
She chose to ignore it. No reply.
Not long after, another notification chimed.
“Hiss… No one even says hi to me. This world feels so cruel, I’m too sad to work.”
