Chapter 128 Edward Disagrees
My heart was a mess of emotions. Confronted with Hayden's request, I found myself at a loss, simply standing there as my mind raced through the possibilities. The hospital room's atmosphere grew tense; I could feel Hayden's eyes on me, waiting for my response.
I had no choice but to agree, but deep down, I was determined: I was going to divorce Edward.
Even though Hayden promised me a life of luxury no matter what, I was already from a wealthy family, so why would I care? Seeing me agree, Hayden smiled in relief. "I knew you were sensible. When I had Edward choose you, I knew I made the right decision."
Hayden went on about how gentle and understanding I was, but I had my doubts. I couldn't even keep the small Cooper Group afloat, so how could I help Edward with the massive Howard Group? Besides, Edward never talked business with me.
"Yesterday, I heard what Anne said to you on the news, and it made me even more certain that Anne and Clara have ulterior motives." Hayden's tone turned somber, and a trace of worry crossed his face.
"Mr. Howard..." A sudden concern for Edward's future filled my heart as I knitted my brows together in a deep frown. But a wave of helplessness washed over me, and all I could do was sigh softly.
"Even if you can't help him much with work, I believe you can keep this family together for him. Do you know what the most crucial thing is to keep this family together?" Hayden suddenly asked, looking at me with expectation and a hint of inquiry.
"What?" I was puzzled by his question and tilted my head slightly.
"I know you two have been married for years, and for the first few years, you were always hoping to give him a child, which made me very happy," Hayden said, his tone softening. But then he continued, "However, you took so many medications and tried all kinds of treatments, but you still couldn't succeed. I was anxious! Especially in the past six months, you haven't been treating it seriously. I should have noticed earlier..."
Hayden looked remorseful and gently shook his head. "But now I can't wait any longer. You know my life probably doesn't have many days left, and my greatest wish is to see my grandson born before I die."
He shook his head helplessly, his expression like he was talking to me and also to himself, "I'm afraid it's too late. Even just knowing that Edward had a child would let me die in peace."
Hayden's words were so full of sadness that they left me feeling troubled as well.
He said, "I have to take some extreme measures." I roughly guessed that the extreme measures he mentioned referred to Aria, but I didn't expose it and planned to listen to his thoughts on the matter first.
"So I brought Aria back. If you can't give Edward a child, then let her have one, and it will be raised as your own," Hayden continued.
I was deeply shocked, never expecting that Hayden had indeed proposed such a despicable method. His gentle and kind appearance almost made me forget that he was once the founder of the Howard Group, a figure who once dominated the business world of Wind City. How could he not have plenty of tricks up his sleeve?
Seeing me staring at him in a daze, Hayden explained. "I know it might be hard for you to accept at first, but I really can't wait any longer. Can you understand me?"
Seemingly afraid of my refusal, he further explained. "Don't worry. Edward won't develop feelings for her, and they won't have sex."
As a male elder, Hayden's words made me feel a bit embarrassed, but he was so engrossed in explaining his plans that he didn't notice my cheeks had turned slightly red.
Hayden said, "I've already set up for the hospital to do in vitro fertilization for them. Once Aria gives birth, the kid will call Edward 'Dad' and you 'Mom.' Then, the Howard family will give Aria a big chunk of money to make sure she never comes back, and you three can live a good life. You keep the Howard family together for Edward so he can focus more on his career. As for Anne, I'll figure something out..." His eyes seemed to drift off, like he was dreaming about the future.
I couldn't help but be amazed at Hayden's long-term and meticulous planning. For Edward and the Howard family's future, he had every detail mapped out. Even though it seemed like he was doing it for me, I was just another piece in his grand scheme.
I sat there quietly, my brow furrowing slightly as I was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to respond. Suddenly, Hayden started coughing violently, breaking the silence in the hospital room and snapping me back to reality. I quickly got up, walked over to his side, and gently patted his back, my eyes filled with concern and anxiety. After a while, his breathing gradually steadied.
I took the chance to voice my doubts, "Mr. Howard, you know I was planning to divorce Edward."
Hayden nodded slightly, showing he knew.
"So," I continued, "why don't you let Edward marry Aria and have her give the Howard family a child?"
Hayden turned his gaze to the window, his eyes somewhat vacant. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Diana, you're also from a wealthy family. How can you not know the importance of status and background? Aria can give the Howard family a child, but her status isn't enough to make her Mrs. Howard. Do you understand? That position is meant for you and you alone."
I nodded thoughtfully, feeling a tinge of bitterness and helplessness. How could I not understand that to the Howard family, Aria was just a tool for reproduction? And wasn't I also a tool in a different sense? In this chess game of the Howard family, I seemed to be at the mercy of various factors, unable to control my own fate.
I knew that Aria would not be satisfied with just giving Edward a child and then leaving with money. I knew that emotionally, she liked Edward; from a benefit perspective, how could a girl from a humble background not covet the vast assets of the Howard family? If Edward had any feelings for her, it would not be impossible for her to elevate her status using the child in the future.
Hayden seemed to read my mind and gently patted my arm, his gaze reassuring. He said, "Don't worry, Aria is not Anne. She's just an ordinary girl that Edward saved, and he has no feelings for her."
I found it hard to agree with this. Edward once claimed he had no feelings for Anne, but in reality, he couldn't stop Anne from pestering him. Their sibling relationship only made their entanglement disgraceful, but Aria was an entirely different matter.
"Edward is Aria's hero. If Edward can't resist Aria's charm and they end up having a sexual relationship, it would be easy for her to elevate her status using the child." I was so deep in thought that I unknowingly spoke my mind.
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