<b>Chapter </b><b>756 </b>
Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy exchanged a stunned nce. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Aaron had his heart set on Mari.
Then<b>, </b>the astonished voice of Mrs. Suri Ashbourne echoed through the room, “Aaron, what on earth are you saying? You want to marry Ms. Abernathy? When did you start harboring such thoughts about that girl<b>? </b>
And what about the love triangle with Mr. Fairhaven? Where do you fit into this picture? You better not be aiming to be the other man; not even if I had the thick skin like a hundredyer cake could I endure the shame! An Ashbourne heir cannot be reduced to a homewrecker, even if he is seeking another man’spany!”
Behind them, Thaddeus and Evadne felt awkwardly speechless.
After a tense silence, Aaron spoke with a bitter edge to his voice, “Originally, I stepped back because I saw the affection between Mari and Jareth. Jareth truly cared for her. I wanted Mari to have a smooth path to love; I didn’t want to cause trouble for her.”
Didn’t want to cause trouble. Evadne’s longshes lowered in a silent sigh.
In truth, Aaron and Mari were kindred spirits – both constantly put others before themselves, empathetic<b>, </b>and thoughtful.
<b>She </b>had often wondered: Would Mari be happier with Aaron? But love wasn’t a series of what–ifs.
“<b>But </b><b>now</b><b>, </b>Mari is about to marry someone she doesn’t love.”
Each word Aaron spoke was charged with a burning desire that had been suppressed for far too long, “If that’s <b>the </b>case. Mom, I want to follow my heart for once. I want to pursue Mari.”
“<b>The </b><b>news </b>is already out<b>; </b>Ms. Abernathy’s engagement to the Bartley son is set. What good will your interference do?”
Suri sighed <b>in </b>resignation, “Besides<b>, </b>you just said they were in love. Even if they’ve separated for some reason. Aaron, Mari’s heart may not have room for you. After <b>all</b><b>, </b>Jareth is her lifelong unattainable dream.
Are <b>you </b>confident enough to spend your life with someone who loves another? Can you guarantee you won’t regret <b>it</b><b>, or </b>feel bitter and unsettled? This path is harder than you think.”
<b>“</b><b>Mom</b><b>, </b>when you married Dad, you knew he had someone else <b>in </b>his heart<b>. </b>Have <b>you </b>ever regretted choosing him?” <b>Aaron’s </b>question hit a <b>nerve</b>.
Thaddeus <b>felt </b><b>a </b><b>sudden </b>grip on his arm and turned to see Evadne’s usually radiant <b>face </b>pale slightly.
<b>Suri’s </b><b>voice </b><b>was </b>low, “Our situations <b>are </b>diffèrent.”
“But <b>one </b><b>thing </b><b>is </b><b>the same </b>– I <b>only </b>choose what I want<b>; </b>nothing else <b>matters</b>.” Aaron chuckled bitterly, “My principles <b>and </b><b>boundaries </b>are <b>about </b><b>making </b>the one I care for happy. If I can’t do <b>that</b><b>, </b>then those boundaries <b>mean </b><b>nothing</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
“You are <b>really</b><b>…</b>”
<b>“</b>Suri, Aaron, <b>Evadne </b><b>stepped </b>forward with Thaddeus.
Suri’s expression stiffened, and Aaron rose in surprise, <b>“</b><b>Evadne</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Evadne offered <b>a </b>wry smile, <b>“</b><b>I </b><b>heard </b><b>everything</b>. <b>But </b><b>I </b><b>didn’t </b>eavesdrop on purpose<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Thaddeus pressed his lips <b>gently</b>. <b>Too </b>“<b>unintentional</b><b>“</b><b>, </b>Indeed. Evadne <b>had </b><b>a </b>knack for overhearing conversations; it was practically <b>in </b>her DNA, making her a walking human <b>eavesdropper</b>.
Aaron’s breath hitched, his eyes looking utterly sincere, “Evadne, since you heard <b>it</b><b>, </b><b>there’s </b><b>no </b><b>point hiding </b><b>it </b>now. I want to take a chance to make Mari your sister–inw. Would <b>you </b><b>mind</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
Worry creased Suri’s brow, “Aaron<b>, </b>you’re my only son, and you’ve never been in love. Do you even know what love is? You spend your days at the police station, dealing with cases, seeing more dead women than living! You’ve only met Ms. Abernathy a few times; are you sure she’s the one for you? What if you meet someone more suitable, more outstanding?”
“I remember Dad had his fair share of quirks, yet didn’t you fall for him at first sight?<b>” </b>
Far away in other country, Emeric suddenly sneezed.
Suri was left speechless. A chip off the old block indeed!
“Or do you also worry about Mari’s illness?”
“Aaron.” Evadne couldn’t help but interject, “Suri wouldn’t think like that; you shouldn’t ask her this.”
Feeling he’d done something inappropriate, Aaron lowered his gaze, “Sorry, Mom.”
“I can see you truly care for that girl.” Nose tingled with emotion, Suri let out a relieved smile, “Otherwise, you’d never talk back to me. You want to pursue the one you love; I won’t stop you. But there’s one condition – Ms. Abernathy mustpletely sever ties with Mr. Fairhaven. If there are any lingering attachments, I don’t want you involved.”
She spoke with gravity, “As long as the girl is good–hearted, I don’t care about her status or past. But I don’t want a daughter–inw who’s been snatched from someone else.”
<b>Upon </b>hearing it, Thaddeus admired Suri’s stance. No wonder she raised such exceptional children.
“The final choice, though, belongs to Mari.” Aaron’s eyes shone with resolution, “If she chooses me, I’ll never let her down. <b>If </b>she wants to be with Jareth, no matter how hard, I’m willing to help them ovee any <b>obstacle</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Evadne’s eyes sparkled with an idea, “Aaron<b>, </b>are you really willing to help?”
“When have I ever gone back on my word?” His resolve was palpable.
“<b>Suri’s </b><b>here</b><b>, </b><b>so </b>I’ll speak my mind.” Evadne paused, and then dered, “Aaron, may I use you?”
<b>The </b>statement left Thaddeus and Suri baffled, exchanging nces.
Aaron’s <b>gaze </b>deepened, “Evadne, what do you need me to do?<b>” </b>
<b>Evadne </b>shed <b>a </b>sly <b>grin</b><b>, </b>“<b>I </b><b>need </b><b>you to </b>pull off a love heist.”
<b>The </b><b>word </b><b>“</b><b>heist</b><b>” </b>seemed <b>to </b>lodge itself in Aaron’s throat, leaving him with a <b>dry</b><b>, </b><b>wry </b>smile, “Evadne<b>, </b>my mom just <bid </b>down <b>the </bw <b>about </b>no snatching<b>, </b>and here you are, daring to dream.”
Evadne wagged her slender <b>finger</b><b>, </b><b>“</b>No, no. When I say a love heist<b>, </b><b>I </b><b>mean </b><b>for </b>you to<b>, </b>as Aaron Ashbourne, disrupt <b>the </b><b>Abernathy</b><b>–</b><b>Bartley </b>wedding ns. We <b>can’t </b><b>have </b>Alston<b>, </b>that <b>toad</b><b>, </b><b>getting </b>his hands on my <b>Mari</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Thaddeus<b>‘ </b>gaze <b>deepened</b><b>, </b>his warm<b>, </b><b>broad </b>palm <b>gently </b>squeezing Evadne’s <b>tender </b>waist<b>, </b>softened by his <b>affection</b>.
Although he <b>had </b>given her pleasure the night <b>before </b>to help her sleep well, he himself had <b>been </b>restless. He <b>had </b>thought long and hard about Jareth and Mari<b>, </b>even making preparations<b>, </b>but he <b>hadn’t expected </b>Evadne toe up with such an ingenious <b>n</b>.
His seven brothers–<b>in</b>w seemed <b>destined </b>to <b>be </b><b>“</b>wrung dry<b>” </b><b>by </b>her.
“So, <b>you </b>want me to step in as a suitor andpete with Alston for Mari<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Aaron, his fingers propped against his <b>jaw</b><b>, </b>pondered, “Even though it’s <b>still </b>a heist, <b>I </b><b>don’t </b>mind <bpeting </b>with <b>that </b>Alston. Us Ashbournes aren’t afraid of stirring the pot, and we can handle the consequences.”
Thaddeus‘ brows came together slightly<b>, </b>“Evadne, but this marriage has Frederic’s blessing. He’s quite taken with the Bartley family<b>. </b>Even if we get Mr. Aaron Ashbourne himself <b>to </bpete, if Frederic doesn’t approve of
Mari being with an Ashbourne, it could still be tough.”
“Indeed. Evadne, after the whole debacle with you at the horse racing event, Frederic’s grudge against our family is no small matter. That old curmudgeon<b>, </b>can he even appreciate my darling son?” Suri spoke her mind freely in front of Thaddeus.
Evadne pressed her lip to stifle augh. Suri had been corrupted by Aviana, spouting off whatever came to mind.
T
Seeing his own father insulted, dutiful son Thaddeus maintained a calm demeanor, secretly relishing the
moment.
“It doesn’t matter; it takes two to tango.” Evadne said confidently, her smile brimming with self–assurance, “As Yong as the Bartley family are dead set against marrying Mari, what can Frederic do? Force his daughter on
them? How many faces does he have to lose<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Thaddeus‘ gaze on her was tender and fiery, “Evadne, you are truly clever.”
“Evadne, do you need my help?” Suri said with a soft smile, “Since my son is set on this love heist, it’s only right that I, as a parent, apply some pressure. That will ensure the Bartley family give up for good.”
“Mom.” Aaron’s voice choked up. Guilt and a bitter taste flooded his mouth as he thought about his earlier doubts regarding his mother.
Evadne, feeling helpless and remorseful, said, “Suri, I’m so sorry. It’s a younger generation’s issue, and yet we <b>still </b>need <b>you </b>elders to sort it out for us.”
<b>“</b>Nonsense, we’re family. Besides.” Sorrow washed over Suri, her eyes misting up, “Ever since Hubery passed, I’ve struggled to truly move <b>on</b><b>, </b>neglecting my care and attention towards Aaron and Debby. I wasn’t even aware of Aaron’s rtionship, and I’m his mother. Now, I do a small favor, and you thank me like this; it only makes <b>me </b>feel more ashamed.”
<b>The </b>memory of thete Hubery brought a vision of his portrait before Evadne’s eyes. Her lips parted a couple of times<b>, </b>yet <b>in </b>the end, she remained silent.