Chapter 45 The Expensive Gift
Aria was packing her things, fuming with anger, so mad that her hands were even trembling slightly.
Actually, there wasn't much to pack.
She hadn't been living in this apartment for long anyway - just a few changes of clothes, a few books, and one thick blanket.
Most of her stuff was still at the villa.
She let out a bitter laugh, couldn't help thinking - could those things even be considered hers? It seemed like most of them were bought by Arthur.
Of course, if they went through with a divorce lawsuit, setting aside how the assets would be divided, she could definitely get back her clothes, personal items, and even some jewelry.
But... did things between her and Arthur really have to come to that? Since she didn't want any more entanglement with him, fighting over those things seemed pointless.
Let go of those things, and consider it letting go of that past.
Just as she finished packing and was about to leave with her suitcase, her phone rang.
She picked it up and saw it was Elizabeth calling. She took a deep breath and answered.
"Mom."
"Aria." Elizabeth's voice sounded pretty good. "I have good news for you. The doctor says my health has improved, and I can go back to Switzerland next week!"
Next week - meaning she could divorce Arthur as early as next week.
That really was good news.
Aria tried to smile, but her lips only managed a hollow curve.
She could only say dryly, "So soon, that's really great."
Elizabeth's voice also sounded happy. "Once I leave, it'll probably be another year or two before I come back. Before I go, I'd like to see you and Arthur one more time."
Aria's fingers tightened.
Given how things were between her and Arthur right now, she was really afraid Elizabeth would notice something, but this was a reasonable request - she really couldn't think of any reason to refuse.
"Okay, when?"
"This afternoon," Elizabeth said. "Come to my place together and have dinner with me."
Aria was silent for two seconds.
"Mom, Arthur might... might be really busy lately. How about this - I'll come this afternoon, and he can come tomorrow..."
Before she could finish, her phone was snatched away by Arthur, who had somehow come in.
"Mom, this afternoon, right? Don't worry, we'll definitely be there on time. It's no trouble at all, I'm not busy at all."
Those last few words sounded like they were said specifically for Aria to hear.
At this point, Aria couldn't exactly snatch the phone back, so she had to agree.
It was just one meeting anyway. She didn't believe that in front of her own mother, Arthur could do anything too outrageous.
At four in the afternoon, Elizabeth sent a car to pick them up, driving all the way to the Grant family estate.
When they arrived, servants were already standing in a row waiting.
Elizabeth was dressed unusually formally, as if attending some high society ball - makeup on, wearing a fitted cocktail dress, covered in jewelry.
All the pallor and haggardness from her illness was completely hidden.
"You're here so quickly!"
Hearing the commotion, she came out warmly to greet them, holding Aria's hand with one hand and Arthur's with the other. "Come, sit down."
She looked Aria up and down a few times, her brow furrowing. "I haven't seen you for just a few days, how did you get so much thinner? Haven't you been eating properly?"
"No, Mom, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine at all!" Elizabeth's voice rose, and she immediately started coughing.
Aria quickly patted her back, helping her catch her breath. After Elizabeth recovered, she held Aria's hand and patted it. "Such a good girl."
Then she glanced at Arthur. "Did you two have another fight?"
Arthur was about to deny it when Elizabeth interrupted. "I may have been recovering these past days, but I'm not blind or deaf. The news coverage was so big, I didn't even need to pay attention - it just poured into my ears."
Aria's face turned red instantly, and she quickly explained. "Mom, they were just making things up. Please don't take it seriously."
"Of course I won't take it seriously." Elizabeth glanced at Arthur again. "I may not take it seriously, but I know this boy Arthur will definitely use it as an excuse to give you trouble."
She was absolutely right about that.
Neither of them said anything for a moment, both lowering their heads.
Elizabeth continued. "Aria, I know Arthur has a bad temper and has made you suffer. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I absolutely won't let him bully you!"
Aria's nose immediately stung with emotion.
"Don't say that, I haven't suffered."
But Elizabeth had already stood up, taking out a square jewelry box she'd prepared earlier.
"This is for you, as my apology on Arthur's behalf. He's done too many things wrong. I hope this gift can make up for some of it."
Aria hesitantly took it and opened it.
Instantly, her breath caught.
Inside was a diamond necklace.
The main diamond was bigger than a baby's fist, transparent and pure, without a single trace of color.
The chain was also set with diamonds, layer upon layer, circle after circle - hundreds of them.
Under the light, the brilliance was almost blinding.
Arthur's eyelid twitched, as if he couldn't believe it. "Mom, isn't this the engagement gift Dad gave you back then?"
Elizabeth smiled. "It's one of them. I think this should be impressive enough."
It was definitely impressive enough - worth a luxury downtown condo over a thousand square feet, plus decades of HOA fees.
If you found a reliable auction house, there might even be enough left over for thirty years of utilities.
Aria's fingers trembled as she quickly pushed the jewelry box back. "No, I can't accept this. It's too valuable."
"Take it." Elizabeth pressed her hand down. "This necklace should have belonged to you anyway."
"During the financial crisis three years ago, if Mr. Hall hadn't helped us, this necklace might already be sitting in some bank's safe deposit box."
She looked at Arthur. "Isn't that right?"
Arthur's Adam's apple bobbed.
"...Yes."
He understood, of course, that his mother was reminding him not to forget how the Hall family had helped him back then.
And Aria, holding the jewelry box, felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
"I'm leaving next week." Elizabeth looked at them, her eyes suddenly reddening. "I have just one wish - that you two stay together."
Aria bit her lip.
Arthur pulled Aria into his arms. "Mom, don't worry. We'll be fine. You focus on getting better."
Aria wasn't listening - she just found these words unbearably fake.
But Elizabeth smiled, a very satisfied smile. "That's right."
After dinner, it was already dark, and the two of them stayed overnight at the estate as usual.
As a married couple, they naturally had to sleep in the same bedroom, in the same bed.
Unfortunately, unlike the estate Aria had renovated before, there was no sofa or anywhere else to rest in this bedroom, and no extra blankets for them.
Tonight, the two of them were destined to lie in the same bed.