NovelOnlineIn the late afternoon, Jolin phoned up, asking Aurelia to cover for dinner with Leopold. Jelena’s mother Gilda was in town.
Aurelia didn't feel like inviting Leopold. He was too full of himself, and never really gave a hoot about the Hawthorne family, lacking any semblance of warmth or human decency.
She shot Leopold a message on WhatsApp, [My aunt is in town, and mom wants you over for dinner. If you're busy, no sweat.] Leopold replied almost immediately, [How could | possibly be busy? I'll join you tonight.] After work, Aurelia climbed into Leopold's car, heading to Blossom Villa.
She spent the entire ride with her eyes glued to her phone, not uttering a single word, the air thick with the chill of a cold war.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLeopold couldn't hide his frustration, "If you want something from me, just spit it out. No need for this silent treatment. I'm all ears." Aurelia didn't respond. Their issues ran deeper than this one dinner invite, and he simply didn't care about her.
Leopold reached out with his iron-like arm, pulling her into an embrace, "Do you really have to turn into a hedgehog, pokingto death before you're satisfied?" She shoved him hard, "Or we could just call it quits. Go our separate ways, save ourselves the misery. It's not like we're happy." That set him off. "Don't lethear that kind of talk again," he said.
Was she comparing him to Arnold again after seeing him this morning? Why did he always cup short against Arnold? Was he really that much worse than Arnold? Aurelia gave him a cold glance, her disappointment unshielded, then went back to her phone in silence.
The car ride continued under a cloak of quiet tension.
Back at the house, the kids had returned from school and were lounging on the couch, munching on fruit, chatting away with Gilda and Jelena.
Seeing the children so adorable, Gilda couldn't help but long for grandchildren of her own. But the thought of Arnold entangled with a married man cast a shadow over her mood.
She'd cto set things right.
"Jelena, maybe it's best to just have him pay you off, and let Aurelia set you up with someone better. Why keep this messy affair going?" Jelena said firmly, "Mom, he's the one pushing for a divorce, not me. I've made it clear, no seeing each other until he's free." Aurelia and Leopold walked in, greeting Gilda.
Aurelia had a hunch Gilda was here for Jelena's sake.
Gilda took Aurelia's hand, saying, "Aurelia, | hope Jelena's situation isn't causing you trouble at your in-laws." Aurelia replied, "Fredric is to blame, not Jelena. He owes her a proper explanation." Avery descended the stairs, "Aunt Gilda, don't worry. Both Aurelia and Arnold will back Jelena." Leopold stood right there, but Avery deliberately ignored him, mentioning only Arnold.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmYesterday, Aurelia mentioned Jelena's situation to Leopold on WhatsApp, noting he'd side with Sheryl and that she couldn't sway him.
So, Avery made it a point to overlook Leopold.
In his eyes, Arnold was the one who truly loved Aurelia. Leopold was way out of his league.
Leopold caught the insinuation, his lips tightening ever so slightly.
"There are many ways to compensate. No need to choose the most complicated one." Kane spoke up, "Jelena, please don't take Nina and Mira's dad away. It'll make them sad." He stood by his father, not endorsing his aunt's actions, knowing they were wrong.
William made a face, "I didn't want Uncle Leopold to take my mom away, breaking up my home. But Uncle Leopold did, and now it's justand Dad at home." Leopold's world spun, "Your mom was my wife to begin with. It was your dad who took her from me. She's simply returned to where she belongs."
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