Chapter 448 Learning How to Be a Good Father
Susanna was eyeballing Lillian, thinking there was something fishy in her look.
She couldn't figure out why Lillian sounded so sure earlier.
She leaned in and asked, "Lillian, spill it. How come you're so sure?"
Lillian fidgeted with her tiny hands and cutely said, "I just know, Daddy won't take me and Charles away."
'Cause Aaron had promised her.
But that was their little secret.
Susanna pressed on, "Between me and Dad, who you picking?"
Lillian didn't miss a beat, throwing herself into Susanna's arms, "Duh, Mommy, of course."
Susanna hugged her tight, feeling all warm and fuzzy, and showered her with kisses.
Her earlier worries were just wild guesses; Aaron hadn't seen Lillian much anyway.
She then said, "I'll take you to the hospital later, but keep it on the down-low."
"Okay, Mommy."
Susanna held Lillian's tiny hand and said, "I promise, sweetie, once Charles is better, I'll find the right time to let Aaron know about you two."
She always wanted to shield the kids, but from Lillian's words, she realized something: Charles and Lillian were growing up and had their own minds. If they wanted to meet Aaron, she wouldn't stop them, but that'd have to wait until Charles was better.
After chatting with Lillian, they even practiced a scene of Aaron visiting. With the previous run-through, Lillian nailed it this time, and Aaron probably wouldn't catch on.
After lunch, Susanna made up an excuse to take Lillian shopping, and Aviana didn't bat an eye.
Susanna took Lillian to a different hospital, as she had said Lillian wasn't getting treated at the Jones family's private hospital.
If she suddenly took Lillian to Elite Medical Center now, Aaron would definitely get suspicious, so they had to play it cool.
After getting Lillian settled in the hospital, she called Sam right away.
The call was picked up instantly, and Aaron's voice came through. "What's the hospital address?"
Susanna took a deep breath and gave him the address.
"I'll be there ASAP."
Susanna added, "I hope after seeing Lillian, you'll keep your word and leave Novaria, and not mess with our lives anymore."
"I'll keep my word."
Aaron hung up, but his promise wasn't to vanish from their lives after seeing Lillian.
He never agreed to that.
Sam looked at him and asked, "Got the address?"
"Yeah, let's roll."
Aaron didn't waste a second; he had to get to the hospital to see Lillian now, as it was his only excuse to see Lillian and Susanna.
Sam, tagging along, said, "Aaron, man, you've changed a lot. Weren't you the guy who couldn't stand kids?"
Sam glanced at the mountain of gifts Aaron had crammed into the car. Dude went on a shopping spree and nearly wiped out the baby store at the mall last night. Sam had never seen Aaron shop like a madman before.
Aaron slid into the car, pulled out a small toy, and thought back to when he only had $500 to his name.
He said, all chill, "If you've ever been broke and couldn't buy squat, you'd get where I'm coming from."
He'd never been short on cash before.
But that one time, when he couldn't afford gifts for Lillian, he felt the sting of being broke.
Sam remembered Aaron's rough days working as a bodyguard in Novaria.
He rubbed his nose and said, "So, all this is to win Susanna back, huh? I warned you back then, but you didn't listen. Regretting it now?"
Aaron looked at him and asked, "What did you warn me about back then?"
"Aaron, don't play dumb. I asked if you liked Susanna, and you denied it, even pushed for a divorce. Now, ask yourself if you regret it. If you hadn't pushed for that divorce, would things be different?"
Aaron went quiet after hearing that.
He clutched the $500 toy he bought. It wasn't pricey, but it meant a lot to him.
After a bit, Aaron said, "Too bad I can't undo the past."
He'd spent years not believing in love or thinking he'd go all out for a woman.
Now, he was paying the price.
Sensing the awkward vibe, Sam quickly switched gears. "Aaron, what's the plan now? Susanna wants you gone, and Novaria is Jones family turf. If you stick around, it's gonna get messy."
"Novaria might be Jones territory, but that doesn't mean they run the whole show."
Aaron stared out the window, more determined than ever.
Soon, they pulled up at the hospital.
Aaron grabbed all the gifts and headed straight to the ward upstairs, with Sam right behind him. He hadn't seen sick little Lillian in ages.
As soon as Aaron showed up at the hospital, Susanna got the heads-up and had Lillian change clothes and get in bed, reminding her to keep it cool.
Aaron pushed open the ward door and walked in, arms loaded with gifts.
Sam greeted Lillian on the bed, "Lillian, long time no see."
Lillian saw Sam and cutely replied, "I was sick."
Sam knew what was up with Lillian and felt a pang of sadness. "But you'll get better soon. Think of it like a little cold, no biggie."
"Of course, I'm super brave."
Then Lillian looked up at Aaron, who was walking over, and flashed a sweet smile. "Daddy."
Hearing that, Aaron froze, feeling like he'd been hit in the chest.
His throat tightened, and his emotions got all tangled up.
He'd never really felt the whole fatherhood thing until he heard Lillian call him that, realizing his heart felt wrapped in something warm.
Was this what being a dad felt like?
