CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: AIDEN GRANT LIKES DAISY

Tiana’s footsteps halted at the entrance of the private room.

She paused for just a moment.

But she did not turn back.

As she left again, her steps were even more resolute and firm.

Aiden’s gaze followed her, a mix of love and hate surging even more violently in his chest, unable to calm down for a long time.

...

When calm finally returned to The Hibiscus Pavilion’s private room, half an hour had passed.

This dinner ultimately ended in an unpleasant and scattered manner.

Christopher called everyone away but left Aiden behind to have a proper conversation with him.

Yet, it seemed Aiden was in no mood to listen.

As a result, he said several things, yet Aiden didn’t respond at all.

"Are you really going to move forward with your wedding to Vivian Linden by May Day?"

Christopher’s hand rested on Aiden’s shoulder.

Aiden snapped back into reality, perfunctorily responding, "Yeah."

Seeing his brow furrowed as if in knots, Christopher felt deeply moved.

"You’re in such pain, clearly because you can’t let go of Tiana."

"In these past five years, from Tiana’s pregnancy to her imprisonment, release, and living alone with Daisy in a different city, have you ever truly been happy?"

"Aiden, the deeper the love, the deeper the hate, it’s why you’ve lost your senses."

Aiden raised his eyes and glared at Christopher, "Who’s in pain?"

Clearly, he already had the best—Vivian Linden by his side.

After the car accident, Vivian had cared for him day and night for seven days, then went to Clear Spring Monastery to kneel nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine steps, praying for a peace charm for him, which brought him back.

Afterward, it was Vivian who accompanied him through that darkest time of his life, allowing him to get rid of the wheelchair and stand again.

Yet, being with Vivian didn’t make him happy.

Christopher didn’t know what to say.

After a long sigh, Christopher gave Aiden’s shoulder another pat.

"Aiden, gratitude is not the same as love."

"What kind of person Vivian Linden is, I’m not going to judge, nor am I qualified to judge."

"But I can assert that Tiana suddenly coming to find you must mean she’s encountered some trouble."

"What if her cancer is true, and she really leaves? Given your actions today, you’ll regret it when it’s too late."

Sitting in the dining chair, Aiden didn’t respond further.

He looked at Christopher, pondering for a few seconds.

Christopher’s words were not something he hadn’t thought about.

But the paternity test was done with extreme secrecy, and no one knew about it apart from him.

Consequently, he was even more resolute, "I trust the evidence in my hands more."

Christopher: "Oh, Aiden, Aiden, what should I say to you?"

Aiden got up from the dining chair and walked out with a cold face, "Then don’t say anything. Don’t interfere in Tiana’s matters."

...

Tiana and Daisy returned home.

She held Daisy in her arms with heartache.

"Daisy, you must have been very upset today."

Daisy clearly knew that Aiden was her father.

But the father disliked her so much and didn’t acknowledge her.

What a blow it must be!

She comforted Daisy, "Daisy, it’s alright, Mommy will always love you."

Daisy also hugged her, "Mommy, all I need is you. With Mommy here, I’ve got the whole world."

She truly was Daisy’s entire world.

But she was going to die soon.

Once she passed, Daisy’s world would completely collapse.

Tiana dared not think further...

Since Aiden didn’t acknowledge Daisy, she should decisively find Daisy an adoptive family.

A few days later, news came from the community.

A pair of middle-aged couples were willing to adopt Daisy.

Tiana met with them, bringing Daisy along.

After spending time together, Tiana felt the couple was easy-going and indeed liked children.

Yet, she couldn’t bear to tell Daisy.

"Chaucer, Ms. Hayes, could you not tell Daisy just yet? Could you interact with her as my friends for a few days?"

"I don’t know how... I don’t know how to tell Daisy."

Tiana choked up.

Something sharp stuck in her throat, making it impossible to breathe.

Seeing her eyes redden, the couple’s understanding led them to nod repeatedly.

The next day, Tiana let Daisy spend time alone with the adoptive parents.

She told Daisy, "Daisy, Mommy has things to do outside today, let Aunt Hayes and Uncle Chaucer take you out to play. Be a good girl; Mommy will come pick you up in the evening."

Aunt Hayes spoke softly, "Daisy, Auntie will take you to the amusement park today, okay?"

Having met Uncle Chaucer and Aunt Hayes yesterday, Daisy thought they were her mom’s friends.

She had no idea her mom was about to leave this world, that this was her mom finding adoptive parents for her.

...

Three in the afternoon.

Amusement park, cute pet park.

Aiden was with Vivian Linden and Noelle Sullivan, feeding camels at the cute pet park.

Noelle was the daughter of Vivian’s close friend and the goddaughter of Aiden and Vivian.

Vivian’s close friend was often away from Veridia.

Noelle was frequently taken care of by the two of them.

Over the years, Aiden watched Noelle grow up.

Noelle fulfilled his past dreams of having a daughter, and he cherished her as if she were his own.

"Noelle, it’s time to drink some water."

Aiden held out a water cup, gently feeding it to Noelle Sullivan.

Noelle smiled sweetly, "Thank you, Mr. Grant."

As the cold wind blew, Aiden added a little vest for Noelle.

Accidentally looking up, he saw Daisy with a middle-aged couple.

A little rabbit hopped and jumped in front of Daisy.

Daisy could hardly look away.

The middle-aged couple beside her watched Daisy with affectionate eyes.

"This child is so well-behaved and looks pretty and lovely."

"Honey, Daisy’s mom wants to find an adoptive family for Daisy as soon as possible! Let’s complete the procedures soon."

Aiden was shocked!

Tiana was actually going to send Daisy away?

The cold wind blew.

The temperature in the air suddenly dropped significantly.

Colder than the air was Aiden’s stunning face.

Tiana first contacted him, wanting to toss Daisy over to him.

Right after, she handed Daisy over to this middle-aged couple?

Was this how she played the role of Daisy’s mom?

A few days ago, at the airport, encountering Daisy, Aiden saw the face that resembled Tiana’s greatly.

In a trance, he seemed to see an old acquaintance—Tiana.

He fantasized about if he and Tiana had a daughter, she should also be so cute and lovely.

Seeing Daisy that time, he was delighted.

But unexpectedly, Daisy turned out to be the daughter of Tiana and Hector Chaucer.

Clearly unrelated to him, yet Daisy’s delicate face, large eyes, and long eyelashes floated in his mind.

He got Tiana’s contact information from Christopher.

Then handed Noelle over to Vivian for care, went to a secluded spot, and made a phone call to Tiana.

"Let’s meet!"

An unfamiliar number came in.

The number might have been unknown, but the voice was one Tiana knew all too well.

Aiden actively reaching out was something entirely beyond her expectations.

Recalling his indifference and ruthlessness, sharp pain and hate filled her insides, naturally making her voice grow cold, "Does Mr. Grant have something to say?"