Chapter 787 Arrogance
Scarlett woke up just as Alexander walked in.
Noticing how tired he looked, she asked, "Alexander, you okay? You look sick."
His chest wound still hurt, but he smiled. "Grandma, I'm just tired and not sleeping well. Don't worry, I'm fine."
Scarlett sighed. "I've been too hard on you. You've worked so hard, and I always scolded you. That was wrong. You're a good kid."
Her expression softened, maybe because of her illness.
"Grandma, I'm fine. Your strictness helped me. Otherwise, I might've turned out spoiled."
"No, you wouldn't," Scarlett said. "You've always been strong and mature. I know you were sad not having parental love growing up."
She suddenly felt frustrated.
"Alexander, if I forget you one day, don't blame me. I'm apologizing now," she said, worried about her Alzheimer's.
She feared forgetting all the wrongs she did to Alexander and not having time to apologize.
"Grandma," Alexander said sadly, "you don't need to apologize. I've never blamed you. I should've visited more."
He thought if he had noticed earlier, he could've helped her.
"I need to apologize. My memory is getting worse, so..."
She suddenly froze.
Seeing her strange expression, Alexander asked, "Grandma, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Scarlett looked confused. "How did you grow up so much in just a few days?"
She looked at him, unsure if it was really Alexander.
He was stunned, feeling a wave of sadness.
Her Alzheimer's was acting up again.
"Grandma, maybe I've been eating well, so I've grown."
Suddenly, Scarlett remembered something.
"Where's Ava? Why haven't I seen her?"
Alexander quickly held her hand. "Grandma, Ava is still in school. Don't you remember?"
"Oh, right," Scarlett said. "Ava is in high school. What day is it? When does she get out?"
Holding back his sadness, Alexander said, "She gets out at four."
"What time is it now?"
He checked the time. "It's two."
"Then it's still early. Ava studies hard. She does homework until ten every night. It's bad for her eyes. Alexander, help her with her studies so she can relax."
Alexander nodded sadly. "I will. I'll tutor her when she gets home."
"Good," Scarlett said with a smile.
She saw Mia and George standing nearby, looking serious. Scarlett shook her head. "You two still haven't made up?"
George was about to speak, but Mia grabbed his wrist and said, "Mom, George and I have made up."
George looked at Mia in shock. Just this morning, she wanted a divorce, but now...
He knew Mia was lying to comfort Scarlett, but he still felt a glimmer of hope.
He held Mia's hand, trying to draw warmth from her touch.
"Really?" Scarlett beamed. "Mia, you finally forgave George."
Mia came closer to the bed. "Yes, I forgave him."
Scarlett's joy quickly turned to concern. "Don't force yourself to forgive him just for me. If you really don't want to be with him, I'll support you."
"Mom, it's not that. I chose to forgive him because he's been making amends, and I don't want to blame him anymore. I want to move forward."
George stared at Mia's back, feeling choked up. 'If only this were true,' he thought.
Scarlett held Mia's hand. "Okay. As long as you're happy. Any way, you'll always be part of the Mitchell family."
Then she looked at George. "George, come here."
He walked over.
"If you ever hurt Mia again, you're no longer my son. Got it?"
"Yes, mom," George said, choking up. "I'll never hurt Mia again, I promise, and I'll never make her angry."
"Good. You're not young anymore. Alexander's grown up. Set a good example so he doesn't turn out like you."
Scarlett glanced at Alexander, feeling apologetic. "Sorry, Alexander, I didn't mean you're a jerk. You won't be like your dad, right?"
Alexander's face stiffened, thinking of Ava.
He had hurt Ava just like George hurt Mia.
"Grandma, I won't. I'll treat Ava well. I just want to be with her."
Scarlett was surprised. "So you like Ava. That's great. I can tell she likes you too. When she graduates, you two should get married."
Alexander nodded. "Okay, Grandma, I will marry her."
"Treat her well."
"I will. She's the only woman for me. I'll love and spoil her."
He wanted to, but it was too late. He had ruined his chance, and now Ava was with William.
"Good. Don't be like your dad, getting involved with other women."
George lowered his head, ashamed.
Alexander felt deeply ashamed too.
He loved Ava, but to make her leave him, he got involved with Isabella.
If he had just asked Ava if she liked him, things might have been different.
It was all because of his foolish pride.
He was a coward when it came to love.
