Chapter 192
At Meyer Residence
“I can’t believe Alexander got himself involved in a scandal like this! Mom, did you know about it?” Alyssa exclaimed as soon as she stepped through the door.
She frowned upon seeing her mother gathering her belongings. “Are you going somewhere p>
“I’ll be back. I’m just going to check on your Uncle Rock,” Ava replied, glancing at her daughter.
“Can I come? Is that woman there? I want to see her! I can’t believe Alexander married without even informing the whole family,” Alyssa pouted. “And Carla called. She’s been crying and asking me p>
Ava abruptly turned to her daughter, scolding, “You don’t dare involve yourself in your cousin’s affairs! They’re old enough to handle it. Also, you need to cut back on your communication with Carla. She’s already out of the picture, and Xander won’t like it if he finds out you’re feeding her nonsense information p>
“So, you knew all this time about Xander’s marriage?! Mom! How could you not tell me? I could have informed Carla p>
Alyssa pressed her lips together as her mother shot her a glare.
“Focus on your studies and stop involving yourself in gossip!” Ava snapped. Alyssa was twenty-one, their only daughter, and Ava realized she and her husband had made the mistake of spoiling her.
“But Mom! I feel bad for Carla! Does Xander already forget that he’s alive because of her? She risked her life to save him and just needs more time for herself. And now he’s married to someone else? Is that woman even deserving of him? I’m coming, whether you like it or not! I want to see who is that woman in person p>
Ava shrugged as she watched Alyssa storm ahead of her outside. Ava sighed, Alyssa had always been passionate, sometimes to the point of recklessness, but this family situation required more than just opinions. She followed her, putting a gentle hand on Alyssa’s shoulder.
“Alyssa,” Ava said firmly, her voice softening, “I understand how you feel about Carla, but you need to respect Xander’s decisions. He’s been through a lot, and he has his reasons for what he’s done. This isn’t something you or I can control p>
Alyssa turned, frowning. “But Carla saved him, Mom! And now he’s with someone else without even a word to us. I don’t understand why you’re all acting like it’s nothing p>
Ava paused, choosing her words carefully. “Sometimes, we don’t know the full story, sweetheart. And meddling without understanding might only cause harm. Alexander doesn’t need more complications right now p>
Alyssa let out a frustrated sigh, finally backing down, though the frustration still flickered in her gaze. “Fine, but I’m still coming along. I want to see him and this…wife of his for myself p>
Ava relented with a nod. She could handle Alyssa’s stubbornness.
Right now, her primary concern was Rock. The drive to the mansion was quiet, with Alyssa occasionally muttering under her breath about Alexander’s choices, while Ava’s thoughts drifted to the worry gnawing at her—her brother’s health.
She needed to check on Rock’s condition. His condition wasn’t something she could simply accept without action. She had been relentless in reaching out to research facilities and hospitals worldwide that specialized in brain tumor cases, but so far, she had received no good news. It made her heart ache, and she couldn’t help but cry and pray earnestly for a miracle to save her brother.
Ava and Alyssa were surprised to see Ben playing chess with a woman when they arrived.
“Who’s that?” Alyssa whispered to her mother.
“I’m not sure,” Ava whispered back, her eyes narrowing as she tried to place the woman’s face. The woman seemed to be about the same age as Ava, and there was something vaguely familiar about her.
But whoever she was, Ava found herself hoping that this woman was someone close to Ben. He deserved to have a family of his own after years of dedicated service to theirs.
“Miss Ava,” Ben greeted warmly with a smile.
“Is my brother here?” Ava asked.
Curious, Alyssa piped up, “Who is she, Uncle Ben p>
“Oh, this is Miss Melanie Clayton, Miss Rain’s aunt!” Ben introduced, then introduced Alyssa and Melanie to each other.
They shook hands and exchanged polite greetings. “Also, Sir Rock is in his study,” Ben informed her.
“Uncle Ben, when will Xander and his wife arrive? Mom and I plan to stay for dinner to meet his wife,” Alyssa informed him with a grin. Ava was relieved that Alyssa was polite to Melanie and respectful toward her.
Alyssa was a sweet girl, but Carla’s influence made her overly react on Alexander’s sudden marriage. She and Carla had always been close; Carla was like an older sister, someone Alyssa grew up looking up to.
Ava understood why Alyssa would naturally take Carla’s side, but ultimately, Carla had been the one to end things with Alexander when she chose to pursue her career. Ava hoped Alyssa would understand that loyalty to family meant respecting Alexander’s choices as well.
“You behave with Ben and our guest, alright? I’m going to check on your Uncle Rock first,” Ava reminded her daughter before heading toward the study to find her brother.
As soon as Ava entered the room, her brother put down his book and looked up, his gaze softening when he saw her. She couldn’t help but notice his freshly shaved head, a reminder of the toll his illness was taking. Her heart tightened painfully, and before she knew it, tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“Your hair she whimpered, unable to hold back the emotion. Seeing him like this hurt deeply.
“Oh, Ava,” he teased gently, coming over to hug her. “Did you come here just to cry? It’s only hair! Besides, don’t I look even better bald?” He gave her a warm smile, but his attempt to comfort her only made her cry harder.
Ava clung to him, feeling the ache of seeing her strong, caring brother forced to endure this. She loved him deeply, and if his illness were something she could fight in his place, she would do it in a heartbeat.