Chapter Refusing To Be 24
Chapter 24
Maya had a terrible tolerance for alcohol, or rather, she couldn't handle her alcohol at all. If Aveline hadn't stopped her, she would have continued her raucous party in the private room. Aveline had never seen her clinging to men, saying that she felt like an empty-nest elderly woman.
Seeing her completely drunk, Aveline had no choice but to take her to her newly rented apartment. A while ago, a nursing aunt found her looking for a place to live and recommended her relative's apartment. Aveline thought that bypassing an agent would save her some money, plus with a nurse vouching for her, she agreed.
The owner wouldn't be back for a while, and they hadn't signed a contract yet. Aveline had chatted with the owner and only began cleaning and moving in after obtaining their consent.
With no official record, Alexander couldn't find her easily.
The small apartment, although nowhere near as luxurious as her previous life in the Blackwood family, had a cozy charm. She really liked it and had even got some tropical fish that her dad loved.
She could see the sea when she opened the window. She used to think that the Noble Springs Residence was a gift from Alexander. Little did she know that as soon as Nora returned to the country, she moved in. For a long time, she was secretly sad. But now, she had come to terms with it. No matter how expensive the house was, all she saw was the same sea.
The apartment had a small terrace, which she had covered with a thick layer of blankets. She originally planned to wait until her father's condition stabilized before taking him here to spend his retirement leisurely.
However, plans could not keep up with changes. She hadn't expected to be diagnosed with a terminal illness, or for Anthony to end up in this condition.
After drinking a few glasses of wine, Aveline's stomach was uneasy. She took some medicine and lay down in the small crib.
She had to curl up in this position to sleep a little, as that was the only way to do so.
Tonight, with alcohol's help, she slept quite well. When she woke up, the sun was high.
Maya had already prepared breakfast ahead of her. They both avoided talking about the previous night. 22:22
Refusing To Be His Perfect Replica, I Choose The Arranged Marriare
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Chapter 24
Adults were good at hiding their vulnerabilities during the day. Maya hurriedly headed for the door with high heels on and a piece of toast in her mouth, saying, "I have to leave now, I might be late. See you later, Aveline."
Aveline stopped her, "Maya, I'll be busy for a few days, so I might not be able to accompany you."
"Rest assured, do you really think I'm naive? Do you burn money if you're free? Last night was a farewell to our youth. Men don't have much money. Instead, you need help, so you have to tell me. Don't work multiple jobs so hard by yourself."
Maya responded, "Alright, I understand." Aveline walked her to the door and gave her a gentle hug.
"Maya, you'll find a better person. Today's misfortune is for tomorrow's happiness."
Maya teased, "Do you think I'm so naive? Even the best man can't keep me. Where will you find a better man than him in the future?"
Aveline smiled gently towards the direction of the sun, "As for the future... who knows."
Maya originally wanted to leave, but looking at her slender figure, he hugged her from behind. "I've been busy these days, but once I'm done, I'll make plans to meet up with you. Take good care of yourself. It's going to snow soon, even if there's no one to hold your hand, you still need to take good care of yourself."
"...Okay."
After Maya left, Aveline cleaned the room and turned her phone back on.
Unexpectedly, she found that Alexander had called her last night. It was probably about the divorce, but she was busy these days.
Besides Alexander, Elizabeth had made several unanswered calls. She called back.
The phone was quickly answered, and Elizabeth's worried voice came from the other end, "Aveline, why didn't you answer your mom's calls? I've been so worried about you these past few days. How much more money do you need? I'll transfer it to you right away."
Listening to the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks, Aveline's mood calmed down.
She had been resentful for many years after her mother left and wondered why her mother had
abandoned her. When she found out she was Nora's stepmother, it became even more difficult to accept. Why did she have to be Nora's stepmother?
Regardless of the reasons for her mother's choices, Aveline couldn't blame her, nor could she truly Chapter 24
forgive her.
"Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry. Alexander gave me some money, so you don't need to worry about the medical expenses on Dad's side."
Elizabeth was worried when she thought of how Aveline had left in the pouring rain. "Aveline, where are you now? I want to see you and make up for these years of neglect."
Aveline, looking at the vast sea, replied indifferently, "Mom, if you really cared about me, you wouldn't have gone for so many years without calling. You never looked after Dad after you returned to the country, even when he was critically ill. I was wrong. I sought help hastily and forgot that you had remarried. That's why I've come to you for help. I won't make that mistake again."
"Aveline, I..."
"Mom, let's just go back to how we were before. I'll take care of Dad, and you can just pretend you never had a daughter like me. As for me, I'll pretend I never had a mother like you."
Aveline didn't blame herself for losing face in front of Nora; she was upset that Elizabeth had been absent
from her life since going abroad.
When she needed her the most, her mother was by Nora's side, taking care of another person's daughter.
She couldn't blame Elizabeth for her choices, but she couldn't fully let go or forgive her.
After ending the call, Aveline resigned from her part-time job and sent a message to Alexander, saying
she was busy these days, and they would discuss the divorce another time.
Whatever the truth was, she and Alexander could not go back to how things were.
They wouldn't be friends, let alone lovers.
Aveline completed all this and then went to the hospital. Ryan was standing there alone, and the sunlight made her figure appear very long and slender.
Ryan suppressed his sympathy and spoke as gently as always, "Are you afraid?"
"I was a little scared at first, but seeing you here, I feel more at ease."
"Don't worry, I personally prepared the chemotherapy drugs. I'll do my best to minimize the side effects." "Thank you, Ryan."
Chapter 24
Arriving in the ward, Aveline had a true sense of going from the human world to hell. It was her first time seeing so many patients, old and young, and the only thing similar about them was that they either wore wigs or hats.
There were also several bald uncles walking in the corridor without caring about it. Most of the patients in the wards were undergoing chemotherapy.
Some were crying, some had a blank expression as they looked out the window.
Aveline knew that she would soon become like them, with no light in her eyes and no hope for life.
Her steps forward became even heavier. Ryan had arranged a single room for her.
The little nurse, looking at Aveline in embarrassment, said, "Miss Blackwood, right? Dr. Locksley already told us. Come over here first and let your family members handle the admission and treatment for you. Take the medicine and pay for it."
Aveline, feeling awkward, stood there like a child at a parent-teacher conference, all alone. She was alone, and the people around her couldn't help but look at her with pity, suffering from this illness and even undergoing chemotherapy all by herself.
Aveline bit her lip and said, "I have no family. Can I just have a caregiver look after me?"
"How can that work? A family member has to sign." The little nurse seemed hesitant. "Don't you have a partner? Parents are fine, or siblings?"
Ryan stepped forward and said, "I am her family. I'll sign for her."