Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 182 Absolutely Not Agreeing

Deborah sneered, looking at Rebecca as if she were a joke.

*Conditions? Rebecca, who gave you the confidence to think that even now, I would use Alyssa as a bargaining chip with others?"

Alyssa is Deborah's life, her everything.

Three years ago, she failed to protect her daughter, allowing her to suffer torment time and time again.

Later on, Alyssa almost fell off a cliff and died at the bottom of the mountain.

But today, three years later, such an incident will never happen again.

No matter how tempting the conditions, she would never agree to let Alyssa take even the slightest risk.

Rebecca was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, her eyes red and swollen.

"No, it's not about using Alyssa as a bargaining chip. Deborah, I've asked the doctor, and now bone marrow transplant technology is very advanced. Even if a seven or eight-year-old child donates bone marrow, the risk is minimal."

Although the donor is young, there is indeed a slightly higher risk involved in donating bone marrow compared to adults.

But in exchange for Ashton's life, what does it matter if Alyssa, as Ashton's daughter, takes a bit of risk?

Rebecca's attitude was firm, "No, such a risk is simply not worth mentioning."

Seeing her entangled, Deborah simply pushed her away, crushing her last bit of hope with a single sentence.

"Let's not even talk about the risks Alyssa would face if she donates bone marrow. Even if there were no risks at all, I still wouldn't let Alyssa save him."

Rebecca watched her about to leave and couldn't help but yell "Deborah, how is this any different from indirectly killing someone? If one day something really happens to Ashton, can you and Alyssa truly be at peace with yourselves? Can you sleep at night?"

Deborah reached out to open the door, but stopped in her tracks upon hearing the words.

She turned around and looked at the somewhat crazed woman, "Ms. Moxley, your moral kidnapping rhetoric is useless to me."

Her voice was as calm as it was on that day three years ago when she decided to seek death.

She said to Ashton, "I want to go for a walk."

Her concern for Ashton's conscience and her care for him had been completely exhausted during those numerous near-death experiences

three years ago.

Rebecca's face stiffened.

Deborah opened the door and walked out, while Rebecca's voice continued to reach her from behind.

"The bone marrow inside Alyssa now was donated by Ashton three years ago. If you are heartless, then consider it returning Ashton's bone marrow to him." Deborah's hands clenched into fists, forcing herself not to listen, not to think anymore.

Upon stepping out the door, she intended to walk downstairs.

She just noticed Alyssa standing next to the door.

Alyssa looked at Deborah, her face somewhat pale.

She opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to ask something.

But upon noticing Deborah's expression, they didn't speak up.

Rebecca chased after them and shouted, "If you really won't agree, I'll go tell Alyssa. Three years ago, it was her father who saved her. Now,

three years later, can she really bear to watch her father die?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she walked out and saw Alyssa standing in the hallway outside.

Rebecca couldn't care about anything else at the moment and immediately spoke up, "Alyssa, I have something to tell you."

Alyssa reached out and took Deborah's hand, calmly looking at Rebecca. "Rebecca, I heard everything you just said."

Rebecca exclaimed urgently. "That's perfect. Your father needs your bone marrow to save his life right now, and you're smart and sensible, so you must understand the seriousness of the situation. Three years ago, it was your father who saved you, and now you'll save him too.

right?"

Alyssa's expression was completely calm, so composed that Rebecca even felt that she had already made up her mind and was ready to

agree.

This child has been living in Moxley Manor for the past few years. Although they have a somewhat aloof temperament, they are not as chatty as other children their age.

Deep down, he is actually a very kind-hearted person.

Even when she came across stray cats and dogs on the side of the road, she would always rescue them.

Moreover, this was a living person, her own biological father.

Rebecca's eyes were filled with anticipation, until she felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head.

"I'll listen to my mom. Dad hurt both me and my mom back then, so I won't donate bone marrow."

Rebecca looked at her with utter disappointment, "Alyssa, how could you..."

Alyssa didn't say anything more, just tightened her grip on Deborah's hand.

"Mommy and I are going downstairs first, Rebecca. Great-Grandma Donna also said she wants to have a chat with my mother."

After she finished speaking, she immediately took Deborah's hand and left.

No matter what Rebecca said behind her, she didn't engage in conversation anymore.

She lightly held Deborah's hand, as if to give her strength and confidence.

It was her father who first let her mother down, so her mother's choice is also Alyssa's choice.

Even if just for a moment, the thought of a living person's life and the blood ties of kinship made her feel a bit reluctant, giving rise to a sense of compassion.

But it's just a little bit, she will listen to her mother and won't let her down or make her sad.

Deborah put away the cold indifference and hostility that had filled her face when she was facing Rebecca.

Her expression softened as she lowered her gaze to look at Alyssa beside her.

Yet, it's hard to see through the expressions on the child's face, making it difficult to discern her thoughts.

Deborah had calmed down a bit and said gently, "Alyssa, about what just happened, I shouldn't have made the decision for you. If you

want to-"

Alyssa interrupted her without any hesitation, "Mommy. I don't want to."

Upon receiving such a firm response from her, Deborah was momentarily at a loss for words.

She always felt that perhaps deep down, Alyssa didn't really think that way.

Her rationality and her memories of the past wouldn't allow her to be soft-hearted or to disregard Deborah's choices.

But it might be different in her heart.

After all, he is her biological father, the family member she has been living with since she was born, until she was four or five years old. Ashton may be heartless, but Alyssa is not.

A child, no matter how mature they may appear at just seven or eight years old, can never completely let go of the deep bond between a parent and their child.

Deborah remained silent as she and Alyssa went downstairs.

Downstairs, Donna is chatting with Evelyn, constantly mentioning "Eve" with a beaming smile on her face, as if she can't wait to hug her great-grandchildren right away.

Joseph and Adrian went to the backyard to have the so-called chat, leaving no one else in the living room.

Aside from the housekeeper, there were only Donna and Evelyn.

Evelyn laughed along, but her expression revealed a hint of embarrassment that she couldn't quite hide. Every now and then, she would steal a glance at the upstairs.

Is there anyone who can come and save her quickly?

Donna was already discussing with her where she and Adrian should hold their wedding, and where they would raise their children in the future.

Upon seeing Deborah and Alyssa coming down from upstairs, Evelyn immediately felt as if she had grasped a lifeline.

Donna noticed Evelyn's restraint and thought she was just shy.

Seeing Deborah come down, Donna stopped nagging Evelyn and turned to Deborah, saying.

"Ms. Shepherd, please come and sit over here."

Evelyn's strong desire for gossip made her eager to go to the backyard and see the "conversation" between Joseph and Adrian.

Seeing that Donna finally let her go, she immediately stood up. "Mrs. Moxley, I'll go check on Mr. Moxley and Mr. Black. The wind in the backyard is quite strong, I hope they don't catch a cold."