Chapter 9
Ella took care of Aiden and made sure he ate everything.
Seeing that Aiden was really in poor health, she didn't dare mention the divorce. She just sat beside him, keeping watch.
Aiden looked at her weakly, noticing she seemed troubled, and asked with concern, "What's wrong, Ella? Did Joshua bully you?"
Ella quickly shook her head, "No."
"That's good then."
Aiden leaned against the headboard, took Ella's small hand and held it in his palm, sighing, "Grandpa has one more wish. Of course, it depends on what you both want. If you don't want to, you don't have to worry about me."
Aiden knew Joshua didn't like Ella.
He only married her because of his pressure.
Thinking about how he was failing and might die any day now.
Before leaving, Aiden still hoped to secure a bit more protection for Ella.
Otherwise, once he died, Joshua would definitely dump Ella immediately and turn around to marry Scarlett.
Then Ella would become like before, without father or mother.
Even the grandfather who raised her wasn't her real grandfather. How pitiful.
Ella watched Aiden struggle to speak and felt so upset she wanted to cry.
"Grandpa, tell me. Whatever it is, I'll do my best to fulfill your wish."
Aiden nodded and requested, "Ella, I want you to have a child with Joshua. Is that okay?"
Once there was a child, Aiden would make the child the sole heir of the Thomas family.
This would at least give Ella some security.
Even if Joshua divorced her later, with a child, Ella's life wouldn't be too bad.
Ella froze.
She didn't expect Aiden's wish to be the same as Ava's.
Both hoping she'd have a child with Joshua soon.
But she couldn't have children anymore.
If she told Aiden the truth now, would he be very sad and disappointed?
Ella suddenly didn't know what to do. She lowered her head, conflicted and hesitant, not knowing whether to tell him about what happened to her.
And about the existence of her two children outside.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to?"
As much as Aiden wanted a great-grandchild, he hoped it would be with Ella's consent.
He naturally wouldn't force her to do something she didn't want to do.
Ella opened her mouth to say something when Joshua's magnetic, pleasant voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. We're already trying for a baby. Maybe it won't be long before she brings you good news."
Joshua strode in, glancing at Ella.
Despite being angry about what she'd done, he didn't want to affect Aiden's mood at this time.
Aiden looked at Joshua.
He knew Joshua's kindness toward Ella was all an act.
Right now, he was probably just humoring him, playing along deliberately.
Aiden looked at Ella again and comforted her, "It's okay, just do your best. Don't force yourself."
Ella hoped more than anyone that Aiden's health would improve.
So she couldn't confess that she couldn't have children, that she already had two children outside.
Knowing Joshua would play along, to put Aiden's mind at ease, she nodded and said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. We'll work hard and let you hear good news soon."
Aiden smiled. Having talked too much and feeling tired, not wanting the young people to worry, he urged, "In that case, I have nothing more to say. You two should head home now."
On the way back to Tranquil Villa, Joshua was still testing whether Ella would come clean.
"We're not getting divorced. Quit your job too, and focus on trying for a baby at home from now on."
Ella looked at him, hardly believing it. "Are you serious?"
The one he loved in his heart was clearly Scarlett. Why would he keep the marriage going with her, even want to have a child with her?
She really didn't understand what Joshua was thinking anymore.
"What else? You know I never lie to people."
Joshua suppressed his anger and stared at Ella. "Or do you think what I said in front of the elders was all fake?"
Ella was dazed, hardly believing Joshua really wanted to have a child with her.
But she couldn't have children now.
And if this continued, Aurora and Dorian would definitely be discovered.
Avoiding Joshua's gaze, Ella turned to look out the window and refused, "Let's just get divorced. You can be with Scarlett. Once Scarlett is pregnant with your child, even if the family doesn't approve of her, they won't be able to break you two up."
Then she could tell Aiden the truth, and he would surely understand.
Seeing that even at this critical point, Ella still wouldn't mention her two children.
Still wanted to keep hiding it from him.
Joshua's anger flared, his eyes burning like flames, his hands gripping the steering wheel as if to crush it.
But he still maintained his composure and gentleman's manner, laughing coldly, "Should I thank you for being so understanding?"
Ella lowered her head. "I just hope you can be with the person you like."
"What about you? After the divorce, where will you go?"
Joshua didn't know where he got such patience to keep going back and forth with Ella like this, never bringing up the children.
He thought he must be crazy.
To waste so much time on Ella.
"I'll go where I need to go. You don't need to worry about it."
Ella's attitude was cold, still staring out the window.
Joshua glanced at her and finally couldn't hold back. The car suddenly braked hard and stopped by the roadside.
"Fine, then get lost and go where you need to go. From now on, don't you dare step foot in Tranquil Villa again."
Joshua gripped the steering wheel tightly, grinding his back teeth, his handsome face twisted, his chest about to explode with anger.
If he didn't make Ella get out now, Joshua really couldn't guarantee he wouldn't lose control and strangle her.
Ella didn't expect Joshua to make her get out here.
But she didn't hesitate. She proudly pushed open the car door and got out.
A moment later, the car left her behind in a cloud of dust.
Ella watched the direction the car disappeared, her heart inexplicably aching.
She had naively thought that after a year of married life, Joshua at least had some feelings for her.
But when he turned cold, he was still so heartless.
Still didn't care about her safety, just leaving her on the road.
How could such a man have any place for her in his heart?
Ella forced herself not to care.
She took out her phone to call a car back to Galaxy Bay Community.
She arrived at Galaxy Bay Community at nine in the evening.
Pushing open the door, she found the house pitch dark, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Ella felt something was wrong. After turning on the lights, she went to the children's room.
After searching the entire house without seeing the children or the nanny, her heart suddenly panicked.
Not knowing where the nanny had taken the children so late, Ella quickly pulled out her phone to call the nanny.
But the other person wouldn't answer no matter what.
Ella anxiously ran to the community property management to check the surveillance footage.
She was shocked to discover that earlier in the day, Joshua's assistant Brian had appeared at her door and taken away the nanny and her two children.