Chapter 373
Alina poured Avery a cup of hot coffee.
At the same time, she took out a lot of healthy snacks for the adorable twins.
Verily, she was exceedingly fond of them both.
Due to health reasons, she couldn''t have a child of her own, and it left a sense of regret within her to
that very day. Thus, she directed all her love at Zachary and Rory.
The two children soon got along with her smashingly, calling her Grand-aunt affectionately.
“How do you find living here, Grandpa?” Avery sat on the couch, chatting with ke.
“Pretty good. I wasn''t quite used to it at first, but I fell in love with this ce after some time. Not only is
the environment here great, but I''ve also got good food and nice clothes. On top of that, I''ve got a
housekeeper to wait on me. As I went out for strolls in the residential area, I got to know a lot of friends
my age. Never had I thought that I could have such a good life. My neighbors are right, Ery. I''m blessed
because of you!” ke eximed.
After having worked myself to the bone for the better half of my life, I finally get to enjoy my golden
days. Leonardo had a stable job when he grew up and entered the working world, but his personality
was too nd, so he was destined to live a mediocre life. Later, he married two women, one worse
than thest. His first wife, Allie, was overbearing and materialistic. She couldn''t endure his simple and
honest nature, so she left. While she wascking in every other aspect, there was one good thing that
came from her—my wonderful granddaughter. When his second wife, Henrietta, married into the family
with Mna, she proved to be even more domineering and vitriolic, controlling him in everything. Not
only did she forbid him from returning to his hometown, but she also forbade Avery and me from
stepping foot in their house in the city even though we were his father and biological daughter.
Leonardo was a timid one, so he hardly showed us any concern throughout the years since she had
him under her thumb. Thus, I lived in the vige with Avery for years on end. Though life was difficult
then, I was already content. Unexpectedly, not only did Avery find a good job in the city with her own
capabilities when she grew up and gained a firm foothold in thepany, but she even found a man as
outstanding as Cayden. That aside, she brought me here to live out the rest of my life.
Therefore, he was really contented right then.
“Why are you standing on ceremony with me, Grandpa? I''m your granddaughter, so taking care of you
is my duty.”
Avery then took out a stack of brand-new bills from her handbag and stuffed it into ke''s hands.
“Here''s my sry, which I''d just received. Take it, Grandpa. Tell me if you run out of money.”
ke didn''t know how to use bank cards, so she could only give him cash.
ke''s eyes widened, and he adamantly refused to ept the money. “Why are you giving me money
when you''re paying for my lodging and food here? I don''t buy anything usually, so the money will only
gather dust if you give it to me. Worse still, I might get robbed again.”
Amused, Avery burst outughing. She persisted in stuffing the money into his hands. “Don''t worry,
Grandpa. The security in this residential area is excellent, so no robbers can break in. You''ve got to
have some money in hand in case you want to buy something to eat, no? Otherwise, the neighbors will
think that I''m unfilial, too stingy to give you any money. You must take this money, or I''ll get mad!”
“Dad, this is a token from Ery, so just take it,” Alina, who was ying with the two children at the side,
interjected.
It was rare for Avery to act coquettish with him, so ke was utterly defeated. Shaking his head, he
had no choice but to take the thick stack of bills.
He sighed before saying to Avery dotingly, “Okay, then. I''ll take the money and save it for you.”
Before they knew it, it was already noon.
As the housekeeper took a few days off, the task of preparing lunch fell on Alina and Avery.
They bought two whole baskets of vegetables at the supermarket.
In consideration that ke and Cayden both required nourishing, Avery bought spare ribs and a
chicken carcass, nning to make some broth.
While they both bustled around the kitchen, Alina advised Avery earnestly as she washed vegetables.
“Ery, although you''ve got two kids with Cayden now, you can''t remain with him forever without any
status. Let me tell you this from experience—a man will treat you like a priceless treasure when he
pampers you, even going as far as giving his life up, but once he doesn''t love you anymore, he won''t
take pity on you even if you cry yourself blind. Society is fickle nowadays. Temptation is everywhere,
and men can change in the blink of an eye. Marriage is the only guarantee for a woman. Even if it ends
in a divorce, we won''t end up penniless, right? Also, you''ve got to learn to apply some makeup and doll
yourself up. Look at you. You''re going to be twenty-five years old soon, yet you still look the same. This
won''t do! Men are bees in nature and love flitting from flower to flower. If you don''t pay attention to
maintaining your looks and beautifying yourself, you''ll gradually wither. Sooner orter, you''ll lose your
vivid colors. At that time, the bee will go out and seek out other flowers. Then, it''ll be toote for you to
cry.”
Alina had always been a sophisticated woman who kept herself looking great at all times.
In fact, Avery had almost never seen her without makeup.
She perpetually emanated a sense of novelty and beauty. Despite having been divorced then, one
couldn''t see any traces of haggardness on her face. Instead, she was still as exquisite and elegant as
ever.
Undeniably, Avery agreed with some parts of her long speech. However, there were others she begged
to differ.
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She felt that Cayden wasn''t a bee, nor did he like flitting from flower to flower by nature.
Nheless, she knew that Alina was only saying that for her good. She and ke were Alina''s only
remaining family, so it was understandable that she worried about Avery''s marriage.
Right then, Avery gently stirred the bone broth that was about ready.
Inhaling the rich fragrant, she replied smilingly, “You don''t need to worry about me, Aunt Alina. Our
rtionship will bear fruit sooner orter. Oh yes, how are you doing? Did you visit the hospital
recently?”
She regarded Alina with worry written clear in her eyes.
Alina had cancer. After returning to the country, she had been taking medicine and receiving treatment
consistently.
Sometimes, Avery wondered why fate was so unfair. Her father had died from cancer, and her aunt
was also suffering from almost the same disease then. That had her feeling anguished and helpless.
“I''m feeling much better than before. Ultimately, traditional medicine is different from modern medicine.
Although it takes some time before the efficacy shows, it''s safe. You must learn to doll up, Ery. Money
can be straightened up when rumpled, clothes can be changed when they''re old, and money can be
earned again when you''ve run out, but a woman only has a single chance at a perfect figure and
wless skin. You''re still young now, so you''re innately beautiful without having to doll up too much. But
it''d be toote if you were to only pay attention to your looks when you''re my age. Listen to me, Ery.
Register your marriage with Cayden as soon as possible, even if you can''t have the wedding reception
right away,” Alina nagged.
Avery didn''t get a chance to respond to that as, out of the blue, a deep and melodic male voice drifted
into the kitchen. “Aunt Alina, my wedding with Avery will be held very soon, so you don''t need to worry
about it. By then, you must attend personally and give us your blessings.”
Surprised, Avery snapped her head back, only to see Cayden in the kitchen.
He stood there in a suit and leather shoes with his fair neck bared. The light streaming in from outside
the kitchen window painted him faintly crimson.