Reclaiming the CEO's Heart
Chapter 34 She Dropped All Pretenses

Chapter 34 She Dropped All Pretenses

Jacob's Adam's apple bobbed as he replied, "Okay."

This was the first time they had come to a ceasefire in over a year. She clung to him tightly, just like in the past, while his fingers twitched but ultimately hung by his side. The car arrived at Jacob's office, and he instructed Jason to take Avery back.

Avery didn't return to Hill Mansion; instead, she went to the hospital. Martin still hadn't awakened and had been transferred to a regular ward.

Avery dismissed the nurse and prepared warm water to wash his cheeks and fingers.

She muttered, "Dad, I know your secret. I wish it were not true. Can you wake up and deny it, please? Say you didn't do those things; you didn't kill Olivia."

"Dad, I have stomach cancer, and Jacob doesn't know. Maybe it's for the best. If I die, will he let go of his hatred?"

"I've had a comfortable life, raised and pampered by you. You're the best dad in the world. Regardless of what you've done to others, you'll always be the person I respect the most. I'll repay the debts you owe."

"I know if you were still alive, you would never allow me to do this. But I have no choice. I love him. I fell in love with him at first sight eight years ago. Even if it's only for the last month, I'm willing..." Avery rambled repeatedly, saying many things in fragments by the hospital bed.

She knew her time in this world was running out; this was all she could do for her father.

It wasn't until the afternoon that she returned to Hill Mansion. Jacob was a man of his word; if he had promised her, he would not break that promise.

As soon as she returned to Hill Mansion, Avery saw Layla waiting in the yard for quite some time.

Without Jacob, she dropped all pretenses, and her carefully made-up face contorted into a grimace.

She glared at Avery with venom in her eyes. "Do you think that after all this time, you can get back together? Avery, let him go."

Avery didn't get angry; instead, she stared at Layla. "Layla, do you love Jacob?"

Layla was taken aback, not expecting Avery to ask such a question out of the blue.

After a moment, she replied, "I've wanted to marry him for over a decade. I've known him longer than you, and I love him more than you do. You don't stand a chance." Avery sighed, "I know."

She raised her head again and said calmly, "Believe it or not, at least today, I didn't come to compete with you."

The dead can never outcompete the living, especially considering the complex history between her and Jacob.

"I just want one month. After a month, I'll leave Astrie."

"Do you take me for a three-year-old child? You..."

A babyish voice interrupted before Layla could finish her sentence, "Mommy."

A small, chubby figure dressed in a teddy bear-themed onesie appeared on the snowy ground, taking unsteady steps toward them. After a few steps, the little one tumbled to the ground but quickly got up and crawled forward.

Ethan crawled towards Avery with surprising agility. Avery was quicker than Layla and reached him in a few steps, picking him up from the snowy ground.

Ethan seemed very happy, extending his chubby little hands, wanting to hug Avery's neck.

Seeing this, Layla snatched him away. Ethan began crying uncontrollably. Avery's heart ached at the sight, and she instinctively reached out to hold the child, trying to soothe him.

Layla, still holding the child, moved away quickly. The child's cries echoed in the yard. Suddenly, Layla fell to the ground. Avery watched Layla and the child fall, and without knowing where she found the strength, she rushed toward them.

"What are you all doing?" A voice filled with anger rang out.

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