Chapter 40 A Sign
Alexander gently patted her frail back. "Don't worry. I'll handle everything."
"Can we really never be together? Did your dad mean it when he said I'd never be accepted into your family?" Thinking of George's words, Isabella was furious. What was so special about Ava that the Mitchell family protected her so fiercely?
Alexander frowned, his face stern. "Don't think about that now. Focus on your health."
"I don't think I can get better," Isabella said, wiping her tears, "Alexander, I don't know how much longer I have, but being with you, even for a short time, makes me happy. I don't care about titles."
"Alright, stop crying." Alexander didn't say much more. He bent down to clean up the food on the coffee table, especially the box with chili, carefully closing it.
"Aren't you going to eat lunch?" Isabella asked.
"I'll take you out to eat," he replied, putting the lunch away without any intention of throwing it out.
"It's my fault. She was supposed to have lunch with you, but I caused a misunderstanding. I'm sorry," Isabella said, looking guilty.
"Enough." Alexander's voice sounded impatient. Isabella's constant apologies, which once made him feel guilty, now just annoyed him.
Isabella's heart trembled. "Did I do something wrong?"
Realizing his tone, Alexander softened. "No."
Isabella wanted to ask about the divorce, but seeing Alexander's sullen expression, she didn't say anything more.
Ava hadn't gone far. She waited until George came out and quickly approached him. "Dad, thank you."
George looked at her coldly. "So, what are you going to do now? Continue living like this or get a divorce?"
"I..."
Living like this wasn't an option. Divorce was Alexander's idea, but now it seemed necessary. Since Alexander treated her this way, why should she hold on?
Seeing Ava's expression, George realized something. "Are you really going to get a divorce?"
Ava didn't hide it anymore, knowing George had been through a lot and could see right through her. "Dad, Alexander doesn't love me. Dragging this out will only hurt more people."
"Are you worried about hurting more people, or are you giving up because you can't compete with Isabella?" George asked.
Ava was startled, stammering, "I..."
"Enough," George interrupted, "If you and Alexander can't handle this yourselves, what else can you do?"
Ava lowered her head, silent.
"By the way, remember to come home for dinner tonight. Your grandma wants the family together."
Hearing "Grandma," Ava felt a pang of anxiety. "Dad, can you not tell Grandma about me and Alexander?"
"She's my mom. Don't you think I care about her health more than you? But you need to resolve this quickly; we can't hide it for long."
Ava nodded repeatedly. "I know. I'll handle it soon."
George's eyes fell on the diamond bracelet on Ava's wrist. "Nice bracelet."
Ava felt a stabbing pain in her heart. She gritted her teeth and forcefully removed the bracelet. Seeing this, George seemed to understand something.
"Donate it. It can help someone and you won't have to see it again."
Ava nodded. "Okay."
At that moment, a soft woman's voice came. "Alexander, come to my place tonight. I learned a new recipe and want to make it for you."
Alexander and Isabella walked out.
As soon as Isabella finished speaking, she saw George and Ava standing there. She quickly covered her mouth and hid behind Alexander, looking weak and pitiful, as if the whole world was against her.
Alexander instinctively shielded Isabella.
Ava stood there, stunned, her heart aching. The pain spread to her fingertips, and she suddenly felt weak. The diamond bracelet slipped from her fingers and fell to the hard ground.
The bracelet immediately broke in two.
