SHOCKING NEWS

**AURORA'S POV**

I wasn't expecting Nicholas to show up so suddenly also with Aiden. But I have to agree that it's a great surprise. Although I am not sure about mom and dad meeting him so early. It's not like I don't want them to meet each other but I think it's too early to interact. Because let's not forget how much dad is protective of me and about Jacob, I don't even want to open my mouth.

Yes, I am talking about Jacob who is also here and now glaring at Nicholas as if wanting to kill him. On the other hand, Nicholas is smirking as if he is mocking Jacob. Oh my gosh! These two are going to be a hard case to deal with. That's why I am pretending not to see anything and focusing on Aiden who is talking non-stop.

"Pretty lady, can I go and play with Skittles?" Aiden asks and I nearly groan because he is leaving means I have to tolerate the two big children. Still, I smile and let him go to play with Skittles who looks rather happy to have someone small playing with her.

"Jac, do you need something?" I ask trying to ease the tension in the room.

"Yes, some alone time with him." He replies pointing at Nicholas who arches his eyebrow.

"I think mom is done with lunch. You can talk to each other after lunch." I let out looking between the two.

"Big sis, do you want me or dad to do the talking with this guy?" I gulp hearing dad's name because let's be honest, dad is going to be tougher than Jac so I think it's better if I get out of here.

I don't say anything in response and leave them alone in the living room while I go in search of mom whom I think is the only one I can talk to right now. Thankfully I find her in the guest room taking a rest so that means dad is in the kitchen.

"Mom, help me." I let out making her look at me with a teasing smile.

"In what aspects do you need my help?" She asks although I am sure she knows what I am talking about.

"Really? You are going to tease me? Please go and tell Jac to stop interrogating Nicholas." I plead but all she does is laugh.

"Sweetie, both you and I know sooner or later your dad and Jacob will interrogate Nicholas so let it be today. Also, it's good that this time we will make sure that the person you are choosing is not horrible towards you. We only want what is best for you." She replies.

"But mom, I don't love Nicholas then why does this talking matter? Hell, I am not even thinking about a relationship after what I had to go through." I tell her in which she shakes her head in denial.

"You can't throw your life away just because of someone else's wrongdoing. You are an independent woman so don't let your past hold you back from being happy again. I am not saying that it has to be Nicholas but that also doesn't mean he can't be the one for you. Try to look at things positively." She says while caressing my cheeks tenderly.

"But what am I supposed to do with the fact that I can't give birth to a baby? Do you think any sane person will accept me after knowing about me being an infertile person?" I retort not caring if I sound rude.

"If he is really true about his feelings then no matter what he will accept you and if he doesn't then he is not the one for you." She replies firmly and this time I can't help but nod my head. Because what she says is true.

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We are now sitting together while eating the lunch which is prepared by mom and dad. Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad, Taco Stuffed Avocadoes and Keto Smoothie are being made for lunch which I can say that everyone is enjoying.

Halfway through lunch, dad starts asking Nicholas questions about his business and family which does not sit well with me. I am feeling anxious as if something will go wrong and everything will be messed up. But thankfully nothing wrong happen and I can see that dad is looking rather impressed with whatever Nicholas is replying to.

I am feeding Aiden who is playing with his car toy when Nicholas's phone starts ringing so he excuses himself and goes out of the kitchen to talk to whoever called him. However, when after ten minutes he doesn't return, I get worried so I decided to go and see what taking him so long.

"Don't worry, I am coming right away." I hear him say and then disconnect the call.

"What's wrong?" I ask making him turn around.

"Aurora, I will tell you everything but promise me that you won't say anything to Aiden." He says making me nod my head.

"Okay, but why are you looking so tensed?" I ask because I can feel that something is bothering him.

"Arthur has had an accident and is currently admitted to the hospital." He replies making my eyes widen.

"Oh my God! How has this happened?" I ask.

"It seems he was driving his car speedily and then got hit by another car. I have to leave for the hospital asap as Evelyn is already there with Owen." He replies.

"Okay you go there and I will be there too. About Aiden, don't worry mom and dad will take care of him." I assure him and he hugs me while kissing the side of my head before leaving the apartment.

I take a deep breath and walk back to where everyone is waiting. I can see questioning looks from mom and dad but shake my head indicating that I will tell later. I have lost my appetite so I put my plate inside the fridge and drink water.

"Why are you not eating your lunch?" Jacob asks.

"I am not feeling like eating anymore. If you are done then can you take Aiden outside to play some football?" I ask in which he gives me a weird look but still nods his head and leaves along with Aiden.

"What's wrong, little star?" Dad asks after Jac leaves with Aiden from there.

"Aiden's father Arthur who is Nicholas's best friend is admitted to the hospital and terribly injured because of an accident. Nicholas has gone there and has asked me to look after Aiden." I inform them.

"Oh no! We should also go there." Mom says but I shake my head.

"We can't because then Aiden will know about his dad's accident and Nicholas doesn't want him to know." I let out with a sigh.

"Yes, Aurora is correct. That little boy is too small to know what happened to his father." Dad remarks.

"Can you both look after him for a few hours? I want to go to the hospital and be there for Arthur." I tell them.

"Of course, sweetie. You don't have to ask us for looking after Aiden. He is such a well-behaved child so without worrying about anything, you go to the hospital. Also, take Jacob with you." Mom says.

I don't waste time and go to my bedroom to get ready. I send a text message to Nicholas that I am coming to the hospital with Jacob and thankfully he doesn't oppose, rather he sends me the name of the hospital which is thirty minutes away from my place.

I quickly get dressed in a pair of jeans and a cotton top before leaving the apartment with Jacob's car keys. Upon arriving outside the apartment building I find Jacob and Aiden playing football in the playground which is opposite of the building. Thankfully dad has also come with me to take Aiden upstairs.

"What are you both doing here?" Jacob asks.

"I need to go somewhere so can you please take me there?" I ask back.

"Yes, I can but why are you both looking so tensed?" He asks.

"I will tell you everything in the car." I reply and then turn to Aiden who is pouting.

"Buddy, I will be back soon. Till then please stay with my mom and dad." I tell him caressing his hair.

"Okay but promise me, you will be back soon." Aiden says holding his pinky.

"I am promising that I will be back very soon." I reply linking my pinky with him.

"Let's go upstairs, little man. Grandma Mendy has ice cream for you." Dad says and takes Aiden with him while Jacob and I get inside his car.

"Now, will you tell me where the hell we are going?" Jacob asks.

"We are going to the Northern San Francisco hospital." I tell him.

"But why?" He asks again.

"Because Aiden's father Arthur is admitted in that hospita-" I don't even get to complete the sentence, the car abruptly come to a stop making me jerk forward.

"Jacob be careful." I let out holding my chest while taking deep breaths.

"I am sorry." He says and starts driving thea car again but this time more calmly.

Why do I have a feeling that there is something related to Arthur that bother Jacob? Earlier he reacted quite oddly when I told him about Aiden's father and now today, he nearly lost control of the car. I need to find out what's going on.

Over the way to the hospital Jacob doesn't utter a single word and gripping the stirring wheel so harshly that his knuckles turns white. I don't say anything and let him to whatever he is doing. Soon, the car stops in front of the hospital and we both get out. Nicholas has already told me where they are so it doesn't take long for us to find them.

"How is Arthur?" I ask Evelyn.

"Currently he is in the operation theatre as he has a lot of injuries all over his body." She replies looking extremely worried.

"Don't worry, I am sure he will be fine." I tell her with a squeeze on her shoulder.

Nearly two hours later, the doctor comes out of the operation theatre and let us know that Arthur's condition is not good. He has four broken ribs as well as his left feet is also fractured. However, the most impact of the accident is on the right side of the head which can cause him eye sight problem. Right now, he is unconscious because of the anesthesia but the next 48 hours is going to be very hard for him. We are not permitted to meet him but we can see him from outside the ICU where he is being shifted.

"Where was he going so hurriedly?" I ask Nicholas who is now standing beside me.

"To meet his ex-wife." He replies looking so angry that if its possible then the veins around his neck will break free from the skin.

"What do you mean by ex-wife?" Surprisingly this question come from Jacob.

"Arthur and his wife got divorced right after Aiden was born." Nicholas answers not giving out much explanation so I think it's better not to ask any further.

"But why? He was so happy with her and quite eager to marry her." Jacob remarks bitterly.

"How do you know that?" Nicholas asks facing Jacob who looks like he wants to cry but holding himself strong.

"I heard from the tabloids." Jacob replies yet I can see that he is clearly lying.

"Oh, okay." Nicholas replies while giving me a look 'we need to talk' in which I nod my head.