Chapter 263

Chapter 263

Adeline's injuries weren't severe. After two days in the hospital, she had mostly recovered. She made a point of visiting Waverly.

Waverly lay in bed, looking very weak. She had been in low spirits for the past few days, not speaking much. Before Adeline entered the room, Randy told her, "You're both women. Can you help me talk to her? I'm heartbroken about the baby too, but she can't let a child who has passed affect her future." He spoke with genuine sincerity.

Adeline asked him, "Are you still willing to marry her?"

"Yes." This time, Randy's answer was without hesitation. He had made his decision the moment they lost the child.

Adeline entered the hospital room.

When Waverly saw her, she tried to pull her lips into a smile, but ultimately failed. "You're here."

"How are you feeling? Any better?" Adeline pulled a chair to her bedside and studied her face.

"Much better." Waverly said, but her mood was clearly low. She hadn't yet recovered from the pain of losing her child.

Adeline sighed softly. "I just saw Randy at the door."

Waverly paused.

"Randy asked me to talk to you." Adeline said gently. "But I don't think you need it. After all, there's no such thing as true empathy in this world." At this moment, Waverly was the one who was most heartbroken. No one had the right to tell her not to be sad.

Waverly closed her eyes, her voice hoarse. "I was really looking forward to this child."

The more she said this, the more guilty Adeline felt. "I'm sorry."

Waverly said, "Don't say that. It's not your fault. No one expected the accident that day. I pushed you away out of pure instinct. I never wanted you to feel indebted to me, and you certainly shouldn't be saying sorry to me."

Adeline took her hand. "Actually, you shouldn't have chosen to save me." Waverly was pregnant; she should have prioritized her own safety. But it was precisely this act that made it so precious.

"Let's not talk about the past. No matter what, at least we both survived." Waverly squeezed her hand back.

"Yes. So we must not only live, but live well."

Randy had been worried that Waverly would fall into a depression after losing the child, but it turned out he had worried for nothing. With Adeline's companionship, although Waverly still occasionally zoned out, she was slowly getting back on her feet. On the day she was discharged, she was back to her usual self.

As they parted at the hospital entrance, Randy said to Adeline, "Thank you for being with her these past few days. Without you here to guide her, I can't imagine what would have become of Waverly." He had seen the numbness in Waverly's eyes when she first woke up, as if she had lost all hope in the world.

Adeline shook her head. "Actually, if you really want to thank someone, you should thank yourself."

Randy was taken aback.

But Adeline wouldn't say more, just patted Randy's shoulder. "You are the one who gives her the strength to be strong."

When Adeline returned home, Lily, who had been home alone recently, clung to her and wouldn't let go. Whether it was eating or sleeping, she had to be with Adeline. She was afraid that if she wasn't careful, Adeline would disappear again.

Edward was not pleased with this and had a secret talk with Lily. "Lily, you're a big girl now."

Lily blinked her innocent eyes. "I'm not a big girl in front of Mommy."

"You should sleep by yourself."

"In front of Mommy, I can sleep with Mommy."

Edward rubbed his temples. "Do you want Daddy and Mommy to be with you forever?"

Lily tilted her head. "Yes, so I will definitely take Daddy's place and accompany Mommy, and try to make Mommy stay here!"

Looking at her stubborn little back, Edward rubbed his forehead in resignation. It was all his debt. What could he do but slowly repay it?

Adeline was discharged, Olivia and Aaron came to visit. The group had a meal together at the villa.

Aaron took a sip of wine. "I had someone check the lights at the art exhibition." It wasn't that he was a conspiracy theorist, he just felt it was always better to investigate things thoroughly.

"And the result?" Edward asked.

"The result is that the lighting was old. The exhibition shouldn't have been held at that venue in the first place, but the person in charge of the venue pulled some strings... you know. The venue was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the person in charge was hoping to turn things around with this last exhibition."

But then such a major incident occurred. The sight of Adeline and Waverly covered in blood, lying on the ground, was truly terrifying, and many people had taken pictures. Even though they both survived, the person in charge of the venue was now in deep trouble.

"The security of the venue should have been investigated beforehand. If there are problems, they should be solved." Edward said coldly, showing no sympathy. "This is their negligence." Whatever consequences they faced, they had brought it upon themselves.

Lily ate quickly and then ran out to look at the scenery. It had just started to rain, and the fine rain painted the entire world in a watercolor wash. Seen through the glass, it was incredibly beautiful. Adeline stood with Lily, looking out.

At the dining table, Aaron said in a low voice, "How are you two doing now?"

Edward said flatly, "Not great."

"It's been so long. You still haven't won her over?"

"Have you won over Olivia?"

Although Olivia had come for dinner, she was clearly there for Adeline. She hadn't exchanged a single word with Aaron from beginning to end.

Aaron lowered his head. "No."

The two men looked at each other, a sense of shared misery between them. They were both in a pretty bad state; there was no need to compare.

Aaron had specially booked a movie, planning to go with Olivia after dinner. A late-night show, and after the movie, a romantic night. Unfortunately, before he could even get the words out, Olivia shot him down. "I'm staying here to sleep with Lily tonight. You two can do whatever you want." Olivia took Adeline's left arm and Lily's right hand, and the three of them went back to the room, the door slamming shut with a loud bang.

Aaron stood in the hallway, his mouth twitching. He turned his head and saw Edward, his face just as dark.

"Can't you control your fiancée?" Edward glared at him.

Aaron retorted, "Aren't you unable to control your wife either?"

Both men fell silent.

The next day, Adeline, Lily, and Olivia woke up refreshed after a good night's sleep. When they came down to the living room, they were startled by the two men. Edward and Aaron both had dark circles under their eyes.

"Did you two go robbing a bank last night?" Olivia asked.

Aaron rubbed his temples. "Yes, we were out on the balcony in the cold wind all night." All because of a certain "culprit" who couldn't sleep and insisted on dragging him out for a drink.

The "culprit," Edward, said flatly, "You should really control your fiancé. He couldn't sleep at night and insisted on drinking."

Olivia said dismissively, "I can't control him. You should find his first love to do it."

Aaron: "What?" Edward had betrayed him!

Amidst the laughter, the doorbell rang. Randy had arrived, and he presented them with an invitation. "My wedding is in ten days. I hope you can all be there to witness our happiness."