Chapter 26 Hayden Discovers a Huge Secret
"Okay." Ava's gaze was firm. "When it comes to Grandpa, whether as Ava or as a doctor, I can't just ignore him."
Isabella could understand her. Back when Ava was in trouble, it was Victor who helped her. After marrying Joshua, Victor was the only one who was genuinely good to Ava. Ava's feelings for Victor weren't just respect and affection, but also guilt accumulated over all these years.
"So who are you planning to ask for help?" To get into the Thomas Villa, she couldn't exactly climb over the wall.
Ava thought for a moment. "Actually, I have someone in mind."
......
That night, a bright moon hung in the night sky.
"Ava, your timing is kind of terrible. My parents are both home today. You better be careful." Hayden sneakily opened the back door for Ava.
Ava carried her medical kit and hurried inside. Under the moonlight, two figures moved stealthily one after another into the main house. Ava lowered her voice and said quietly, "Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be careful. How has Grandpa been lately?"
"Grandpa's much better. That woman Mia said there's no danger to his life, but he's sometimes awake and sometimes asleep, mostly asleep."
As Ava and Hayden walked and talked, she asked, "Has Grandpa been taking the medicine I prescribed on time?"
"The medicine you prescribed?" Hayden narrowed his eyes, looking at Ava with slight skepticism.
When they reached Victor's room, Hayden had already arranged things so no one would disturb Ava. Ava sat down by Victor's bedside with peace of mind.
Victor's breathing was much more stable than the first time she'd seen him, and his complexion had improved considerably.
Victor's current condition was pretty much what Ava had expected, which meant the last acupuncture treatment had been very effective. Ava took out her prepared needle kit from her medical case. She went through the sterilization process meticulously, not allowing for any carelessness.
"Grandpa's recovering well, which means our last acupuncture treatment worked. Let's keep it up, and Grandpa will wake up soon. Grandpa, I hope you wake up quickly. I'm here again today to give you acupuncture."
Hayden heard every word Ava said from the doorway, his face full of disbelief.
So it was Ava who saved Victor, which means what Mia said...
Hayden thought carefully. When Mia first examined Victor, she said there was nothing she could do, and her expression didn't seem fake at that time.
Then suddenly Victor was miraculously brought back from the brink of death by her?
How could it be so miraculous—first saying there was nothing she could do, then after everyone left, she could do it?
At the time, everyone was immersed in the joy of Victor's improvement and didn't think carefully about it.
Now thinking back, Ava was also in the room at that time. Ava's feelings for Victor couldn't be faked, and Ava also knew medicine. Looking at it now, the person who saved Victor was ninety-nine percent likely to be Ava!
Hayden's eyes immediately turned cold. It was bad enough that Mia usually put on an act here, but now she was using such despicable methods!
Disgusting!
Hateful!
"Hayden?" Ursa frowned and called Hayden's name twice.
"Hayden!" Ursa raised her voice.
Only then did Hayden react. He turned to see that Ursa had somehow already appeared beside him.
"Mom." His voice was low.
"What are you thinking about so intently?" Ursa rarely saw such a serious expression on Hayden's usually carefree face, and asked curiously.
"Mom, I..." Hayden paused.
Ava had said no one could disturb her while she was treating Victor. If he told Ursa the truth, it would inevitably let Ursa know Ava was here, which would not only disturb Ava, but given Ursa's level of trust in Mia, she might not believe it anyway, and would only make things more complicated.
Hayden forcibly swallowed the words stuck in his throat and resumed his usual carefree smile. "Mom, I'm worried about Grandpa, that's all."
"Good of you to be so filial." Ursa didn't doubt his words. "Alright, Joshua and Mia are both here for dinner today. You should go down and eat too."
"Mom, what about you?" Hayden's tall figure blocked the double doors imperceptibly.
"I'm going to check on your grandpa." Ursa pushed at Hayden's tall frame.
Hayden was extremely nervous inside but didn't budge an inch under Ursa's push.
Ava, don't worry, I will defend this door with my life.
Ursa looked at Hayden with great confusion. "What's gotten into you, child? I'm going to check on your grandpa."
"Mom, Grandpa's fine. You see him every day. With such a filial daughter-in-law like you, Grandpa must be very touched. Mom, you've worked hard too. Grandpa must want you to rest. Don't go see him—you'll disturb his rest. Mom, go eat."
Ursa blinked, listening in confusion. It seemed like he was praising her, but why did it sound so strange? What's gotten into Hayden today?
Before she could think further, Hayden hurriedly pushed her shoulders toward the stairs. "Mom, let's eat first. Don't keep Dad and brother waiting. It won't hurt to see Grandpa after dinner."
Ursa felt something was off about Hayden but couldn't put her finger on what. In a daze, she was pushed downstairs together with him.
At the dining table, Xavier sat at the head, Joshua sat on one side, and Mia sat beside Joshua with a sweet smile. The Thomas family's generations-old atmosphere of seriousness pervaded the table.
Hayden couldn't help but sigh inwardly and glanced upstairs. The Thomas Villa rarely had everyone together, and Ava had to run into it.
Ursa made no effort to hide her fondness for Mia, even personally serving her soup. "Mia, look how thin you are. Eat more to nourish yourself. Joshua, Mia's here—talk to the girl properly, don't be like a block of wood."
Ursa had worried plenty about these two sons. One was as cold as an icicle, just like his father, with coldness carved into his bones. The other was carefree and frivolous all day, never serious. When would she ever get to hold a grandchild?
Mia looked at Joshua, nervously biting her lip lightly, her eyes full of shyness and anticipation.
Joshua's expression was indifferent as he ate with his head down, saying nothing.
Xavier solemnly put down his chopsticks and looked at Joshua with deep eyes. "You're not young anymore. When are you going to set a wedding date with Mia?"
Hearing this, a blush gradually appeared on Mia's face, and she looked at Joshua even more shyly, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Joshua, did you hear your father talking to you?" Seeing Joshua didn't respond, Ursa grew anxious.
Joshua said, "Mind your own business."
Seeing Joshua's usual indifferent attitude, Ursa was truly exasperated. "Joshua, you..."
"I'm done eating. Take your time." Joshua put down his utensils and got up to leave.
"Joshua?" Mia's expression stiffened, and she called out anxiously.
"What kind of attitude is that?" Xavier was furious.
"Dad, Mom, stop worrying about Joshua. It's not like Ava's dead. Why are you so eager to arrange things for him?" Hayden ate his food, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth, still looking carefree as he spoke unhurriedly.
"Hayden, Joshua and Ava are already divorced."
Hayden said, "I don't care. I only recognize her."
Ava was great. They might not think so, but he, as an observer, saw it all. Back then, Ava was impeccably good to this family, to Joshua, to Xavier and Ursa, and to Victor.
And regardless of anything else, Ava was definitely more suitable to be Joshua's wife than Mia.
"Hayden, you're all bewitched by Ava, one after another." Ursa was furious.