Chapter 438 Do You Love Susanna?
Susanna finally broke the silence, "Look, Aaron, I appreciate you stepping up and donating bone marrow for Lillian, but that's just what a dad should do. Lillian and I are doing just fine with the Jones family. We got everything we need, so there's no reason for you to stick around Novaria. You should head back."
Aaron's throat tightened, and he asked, "Susanna, can you give me another shot?"
He looked worn out, but his eyes were still full of determination.
Susanna paused for a moment before replying, "If you had said this four years ago, I would've been over the moon."
Aaron's heart was in knots, and he croaked, "Is it too late now?"
"Yeah, it is. Back then, I would've listened because I liked you. But now? I don't feel anything for you anymore, so what's the point?"
Aaron felt like he'd been punched in the gut, struggling to catch his breath. He pressed his lips together and said, "I want to make things right for you and Lillian."
"The best way to make it right is to leave Novaria and stay out of our lives."
Susanna's words were calm but cut deep, like a knife straight to Aaron's chest.
Aaron felt like he could barely breathe. Susanna was really good at crushing his hopes, making him feel like crap.
He turned to look out the window. He hadn't expected Susanna to get her memory back so fast. He'd been planning to win her over before she remembered everything, thinking it would give him a better shot.
Susanna leaned against the headboard, sneaking a glance at his tall, straight back, still as upright as ever.
So many girls had a thing for him. When she married into the Abbott family, they never accepted her and mocked her, saying she wasn't good enough for Aaron.
Thinking about the past made Susanna's heart ache. She quickly shook it off. Now, with her brothers backing her up, she wasn't scared of anything.
Aaron couldn't take Lillian away; she was fearless.
Susanna finally said, "Austin will be back soon. You should go."
Aaron wasn't ready to give up. He turned to her and said, "You should get some rest."
"Aaron, some things can't be forced. You told me that once, and I hope you can take your own advice."
Standing at the door, Aaron turned back and asked, "Is Lillian staying in this hospital too?"
Hearing him mention Lillian, Susanna got defensive. "Lillian's not here."
"This is the Jones family's private hospital, and Lillian's not here? Susanna, what else are you hiding from me?"
Aaron had checked downstairs and knew this was the Jones family's private hospital.
How could Lillian not be getting treated here?
Something felt off to Aaron, but he couldn't figure out what.
Susanna looked at him calmly and said, "Lillian's getting treatment, and she's stable. When her treatment's done, I'll arrange for you to see her."
"Susanna, that's not what you said yesterday."
Susanna remembered taking Aaron shopping and hesitated. "I hadn't gotten my memory back then, so..."
"So what you said doesn't count?"
Aaron pulled out the gift he bought with his $500 paycheck, his voice steady. "I already got the gift. I need to see Lillian."
Seeing the small toy in his hand, Susanna was momentarily stunned. "I agreed before because my brothers didn't know you were here. But now they do. Do you really think I can still take you to see Lillian?"
"Susanna, you're just making excuses. Are you seriously that worried about me seeing Lillian? Were you lying to me from the start? Is the bone marrow really for Lillian? Is she even sick?"
Hearing Aaron's suspicion, Susanna's heart jumped to her throat. When did Aaron get so sharp?
Her hand under the blanket slowly clenched, but she kept her cool. "The bone marrow is indeed for my child, I didn't lie about that."
But it wasn't for Lillian; it was for another child.
Even though Aaron couldn't take Lillian's custody, she didn't want him to know about Charles and complicate things.
Sensing he might've been too harsh, Aaron softened his tone, "I'm just worried about Lillian's health. I hope you get that."
"Sorry, I think we should understand each other."
Suddenly, the ward door swung open, and a stunning woman walked in. Aviana eyed Aaron warily. "Mr. Abbott, you should know no one in the Jones family wants you here, yet you still stick around Susanna. Learn to respect others."
Seeing Aviana, Susanna's heart raced. If Aviana was here, did Edward know too?
If Edward knew Aaron was here, Aaron would be toast.
But seeing Aviana walk in alone with fast food, without Edward, Susanna relaxed a bit. She nervously asked, "Aviana, why are you here?"
'Wasn't Austin supposed to get me dinner?' Susanna thought.
Aviana walked over and said, "Austin had an emergency surgery, so he called me. If it weren't for that call, how long were you planning to keep this from me?"
If Aviana hadn't gotten that call, she wouldn't have known Susanna was in the hospital with a concussion from being hit by Kayle, let alone that Aaron was playing bodyguard!
Susanna stuck out her tongue playfully. "Aviana, I didn't mean to hide it from you. It wasn't a big deal, I could handle it myself."
"If you could handle it, why are you in the hospital with a concussion?"
Aviana tapped her forehead, and Susanna could only smile sheepishly, trying to act cute to divert attention.
But when Aviana turned to look at Aaron, noticing his injuries, clearly from a beating, she didn't need to guess who caused them.
Aviana's tone was calm. "Mr. Abbott, mind stepping outside for a private chat?"
"Aviana, what do you want to talk to him about? I've already told him to leave Novaria immediately!"
Aaron replied bluntly, "I didn't agree."
Susanna rolled her eyes. "Aaron, do you think this is Lindwell? If Edward finds out you're here, you won't walk out alive! Even if you're Lillian's dad, it won't matter!"
"Alright, don't scare him. Edward is pretty reasonable," Aviana said, stepping closer to Aaron. "Come with me."
Susanna could only watch as Aaron and Aviana left the ward. She sat on the bed, her expression gradually fading.
She had just regained her memory, and she was still trying to process her feelings for Aaron.
She hadn't expected that she really liked Aaron back then.
After all, she never knew what it felt like to like a man, but Aaron never even looked at her once, even asking for a divorce for Erica.
Outside the ward.
Aviana sized up Aaron. He was definitely Susanna's type. She spoke directly, "Mr. Abbott, I'll get straight to the point."
Aaron's tone carried a hint of respect. "Go ahead."
"Mr. Abbott, do you love Susanna?"
