Chapter 166
Looking at Joshua and hearing his question, Ella hesitated.
Before this, she had said that as long as Joshua woke up, she would forgive him.
Now he had finally woken up.
Should she keep the promise she made?
Thinking that forgiving him didn't mean going back to the past, didn't mean being his wife again, Ella nodded and replied, "Yes, I forgive you."
Joshua was pleasantly surprised. His thin but still handsome face showed a smile.
"Really? Ella, you really don't blame me anymore?"
While happy, he was also a bit moved.
If Ella was willing to forgive him, then could he see the children often in the future, spend time with them, and try to be a good father?
That was the goal he should pursue from now on.
Ella had forgiven him, and he now had the motivation to live.
Ella said calmly, "I don't blame you anymore. Actually, I was wrong about some things too. I can't put all the blame on you."
Brian had told her before that Scarlett died in the detention center because Joshua arranged it.
Only then did she realize that Joshua didn't have feelings for Scarlett after all.
At least he had avenged Grandpa.
And Aurora had come back alive. Everything was developing in a good direction. Why should she keep holding onto the past?
She should also look forward and give the children the fatherly love they deserved.
Seeing that Ella truly forgave him and wasn't just pitying him, Joshua felt grateful.
He told himself that once he recovered, he would definitely work hard to make it up to Ella and the children.
Even if he couldn't treat Ella as a husband anymore, he could be a good father and give the children the fatherly love they deserved.
Right now, he missed the children a bit.
Joshua requested, "Ella, next time you come, can you bring Aurora and Dorian? I want to see them."
Three years.
His two children must have grown much taller!
He wondered if they would be willing to accept him.
Ella agreed.
She stayed with Joshua for a while longer before getting up to leave.
She went to find Samuel first, wanting to ask about Joshua's specific condition after waking up.
Who knew that when she pushed open the office door, she would run into Samuel pressing a woman against his desk.
Hearing the noise, the two quickly separated and straightened their clothes. Samuel also used his body to block the woman.
Ella turned away awkwardly, feeling very apologetic.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to ask you about Joshua's specific condition."
The two people who had straightened their clothes knew some things couldn't be hidden, so they might as well face it openly.
"It's fine, come over!"
Ella turned to look at them both. As she walked over, she wanted to see what kind of woman was behind Samuel.
To actually win over this eternal bachelor.
She must be pretty outstanding!
The woman behind Samuel also stepped forward on her own. When she lowered her head to face Ella, she looked embarrassed.
"Ms. Garcia."
Ella was somewhat shocked.
Wasn't this Megan King, the assistant who had worked by her side for two years?
When did Samuel seduce Megan?
Ella was a bit angry. "How is it you? You two..."
Great, they actually dared to hide it from her and have an affair right under her nose.
These two were playing it really high level.
Samuel clearly didn't want to explain much and gestured to Megan, "You go out first!"
As Megan nodded and was about to leave, Ella commanded, "Wait for me at the door. I think I need to understand the situation."
Megan unconsciously glanced at Samuel. Seeing that he didn't say anything more, she left with her head down.
After she left, Ella looked at Samuel. "When did this happen? Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrow, yet you made a move on someone close to me?"
Even if they liked each other, dating openly wouldn't be a problem.
But these two were actually having an affair behind her back.
If she hadn't caught them, they probably could have had a child without her knowing.
Samuel sat down in his chair, showing no embarrassment at being caught. Instead, he seemed very calm.
"Mason arranged for her to be by your side, right?" He answered with an unrelated question.
Ella nodded.
Megan was indeed arranged by Mason when she took the CEO position.
She was very capable at work, and with her help, things were much easier.
So did Mason also know about Megan and Samuel?
Samuel smiled. "I asked Mason to arrange it."
In other words, they had been together for a long time, just hadn't let people know.
Ella was simply speechless.
Was their relationship something shameful? Why hide it from her?
Or did they think this sneaky relationship was more exciting?
Too lazy to care about their business, Ella got to the point. "Whatever. First, tell me about Joshua. Now that he's awake, if he cooperates with treatment, is there still a chance his legs can recover?"
Someone as proud as Joshua.
If he couldn't stand up for the rest of his life and had to stay in bed or use a wheelchair.
He definitely wouldn't be able to accept it.
If there was some hope, maybe he would have the motivation to keep going.
She also wanted to know the outcome so she could make arrangements.
Samuel's expression became serious.
Looking at Ella, his voice also became low. "If a miracle happens, maybe one day he'll stand up."
"Just like I told you before, his chance of waking up was less than one percent, but he still woke up. That's a miracle."
Ella understood.
There was hope.
Just didn't know how long he'd have to persist.
She understood and turned to leave.
Samuel's voice sounded again from behind. "Megan is your person. Go easy on her. She's timid and cries easily."
Ella shivered. This was the first time she'd seen Samuel show such tender care.
He knew how to feel sorry for someone, but wasn't willing to make the relationship public and date properly.
Men these days, all the same.
She shook her head helplessly and left the office.
Megan was indeed waiting at the door.
Ella glared at her coldly and walked ahead. "You hid it really well. What, is it some shameful relationship? You wouldn't even tell me."
Even if they weren't close at first, and she couldn't say anything.
But in these two years, they spent almost every day together, practically inseparable except after work.
She thought their relationship was very good, but this person still kept such a big secret from her.
Megan followed behind her, looking like she'd done something wrong, head lowered apologetically. "I'm sorry, Ms. Garcia. Some things weren't my choice."
Ella looked at her. "Samuel told you not to say anything?"
Megan nodded.
From the moment she got together with Samuel, they had signed an agreement.
Even though she'd been with Samuel for five years, she still hadn't gotten him to make it public.
Even the position of Mrs. Harris had never belonged to her.
She had wanted to end this relationship long ago.
But every time she brought it up, Samuel would punish her.
Sometimes she didn't know what to do.
Ella clearly saw Megan's dilemma. She patted her hand and asked, "Can you tell me specifically about you two?"
After all, she was someone working by her side. Only by understanding clearly could she feel at ease.
Otherwise, if everything was hidden from her and she didn't understand a person, naturally, she wouldn't dare hand over important work.
Megan agreed.
The two left the hospital. After getting in the car, Megan drove while telling Ella about her and Samuel.
Ella listened quietly.
She didn't expect the two had been together for five years.
Megan's family had fallen on hard times. To save her mother, she had actively sought out Samuel.
And then got entangled with Samuel.
This was indeed pretty dramatic.
Ella didn't feel comfortable judging their relationship, so she didn't continue asking. She just told Megan to work hard and not let Samuel affect her future.
Megan was very serious and responsible at work. Though she was a year younger than Ella, probably because she studied business management in college, she was indeed more skilled than Ella in many things.
After dropping Ella off at the Lewis family home, Megan was still a bit worried.
"Ms. Garcia, you won't fire me because of this, will you?"
Although she got into the Lewis Group and stayed by Ms. Garcia's side through Samuel's connections.
Over these two years, Ella had treated her well with high pay.
If she left the Lewis Group, she might never find a boss as considerate of subordinates as Ms. Garcia again.
To be honest, she was a bit reluctant to leave.
Ella got out of the car and looked at Megan's face, full of fear of being fired.
She smiled. "Why wouldn't I want you? Even if something happens between you and Samuel someday, as long as you're willing to stay by my side, you'll always be my assistant."
"Just focus on doing your job well. Don't worry about those men. Women need to live for themselves."
Women who depend on men never end up well.
Not only are they always inferior, but sometimes they're so humble that they don't even have dignity.
Ella seemed to see her former self reflected in Megan.
She really hoped Megan would be more clear-headed, able to use men as stepping stones to shine, rather than being immersed in the gentle trap men provide.
Megan could feel that Ms. Garcia genuinely hoped she would do well.
She nodded in agreement. "Okay, as long as you don't fire me, I'll stay by your side forever in this lifetime."
Ella smiled and told her to drive safely on the way back.
She turned and entered the house.
How rare - Mason was actually home today.
And he was holding the baby and playing.
Her two children were also beside him, keeping the little brother company.
Ella saw Vida busy in the kitchen.
She didn't disturb the children and went around to the kitchen.
"Vida, taking care of the baby all day is already hard enough. Why are you doing all this?"
There were clearly nannies and cooks at home.
Vida looked at her, unable to help smiling. "Mason rarely comes home. I'm preparing some late-night snacks for him."
How could Vida still naively think that if she did her part well, Mason would treat her kindly?
Someone as ungrateful as Mason should just be ignored.
Let him end up like Joshua.
But she didn't want to dampen Vida's confidence, so Ella turned and went upstairs to change clothes.
When she came back downstairs, her parents were also in the living room.
She told them, "Joshua woke up."
Everyone was very surprised to hear this.
Especially Aurora, who leaned against her mother with wide eyes, asking, "Really? Daddy really woke up? Mommy, I want to see Daddy. Can you take me to see Daddy now?"
Ella picked her up and put her on her lap. "It's too late now. How about I take you first thing tomorrow morning?"
Aurora nodded her head vigorously.
Dorian, beside them said sarcastically, "Why did he wake up? Why couldn't he just keep sleeping until we grow up?"
Rhea reached out to touch Dorian's head.
"Don't you want Daddy to be well?"
Dorian still hadn't accepted Joshua in his heart. He pouted and said, "I don't really hope he gets better. When he's better, he just bullies people. I still clearly remember how cold he was when he snatched me from Mommy's hands."
If he hadn't run away himself, Joshua wouldn't have let him see Mommy.
These years, only because he went to bring Aurora back, he occasionally went to the hospital with Mommy to visit.
But he never hoped he would really get better.
Dorian's words made all the adults fall silent.
What Joshua did back then was indeed too much.
But hadn't he been punished?
How could this child still have such deep hostility toward him after three years?
Rhea patiently taught him, "Dorian, no matter what, he's your father. If he changes for the better and is willing to treat you and Aurora well, would you be willing to give him a chance to turn over a new leaf?"
Dorian shook his head and replied, "A leopard can't change its spots. Bad people don't become good."
Aurora didn't like hearing this. She said angrily, "Dorian is talking nonsense! Daddy is not a bad person! If he didn't love us, why would he get so badly injured to save me?"
Dorian huffed, "That's what he deserved. Anyway, I won't go see him anymore. If you want to go, go by yourselves."
He was still angry and didn't want to talk to the adults anymore. He got up and ran upstairs by himself.
The adults fell silent again and sighed.
Ella smiled lightly. "It's okay, let him be!"
If Joshua could really get better, he would find a way to make Dorian forgive him himself.
She didn't need to worry about this.
"Mommy, I think Daddy is a good person. I really like Daddy. I still want to visit Daddy." Aurora immediately said sweetly.
She needed Daddy. She hoped Mommy and Daddy would always stay by her side.
That their family could live happily together every day.
Ella discovered that Aurora was still the most well-behaved.
Sweet and soft, with a good temperament, and she spoke so nicely.
She was very glad that, fortunately, Aurora had come back to her side.
Seeing that it was getting late, she took Aurora upstairs to rest.
Early the next morning, Dorian didn't want to see Joshua. Ella didn't force him and just took Aurora.
Mason also wanted to go and drove for the mother and daughter.
When the three arrived, it was still early and Joshua hadn't woken up yet.
But Aurora ran to the bedside and directly shook him awake. "Daddy, Daddy, wake up, see who I am."
Joshua opened his eyes and saw a little girl by the bed with two small braids, delicate features, and big eyes blinking at him.
Her little mouth kept making sounds.
"Daddy really woke up! Daddy, do you know who I am? I've grown this tall."
Hearing her call him Daddy, Joshua felt heartbroken, his throat tight, struggling to make a sound.
He wanted to sit up and hug Aurora, but couldn't move at all.
In the end, he could only lie there, trying to raise his hand to touch Aurora's round face.
"Aurora..."