“Devin…” Ella looked at Devin anxiously, nog where to place her hands. “Why? This is
my child.”
“But it’s also Jaden’s child. I don’t approve of him as my grandson–in–law.” Devin’s expression was stern, laced with anger.
Ella’s eyes dimmed. She still had feelings for Jaden but knew clearly that she couldn’t live solely for a man’s love.
strated–llencebind
She was independent, had a career, and didn’t need to rely on a man to live well.
Jaden had used power to oppress others, forcing
them to give in and admit mistakes. This was tyranny and a sign of disrespect towards her.
No matter his intentions, their relationship
filled
Ella could honestly say she had no regrets.
She had never wronged Jaden in any way.
distrust,
deception, intimidation, and coercion….
But in return, she hadn’t received equal feelings.
She loved Jaden, but she loved herself more and would no longe
compromise
cent P
for
વે
man.
his life around her, who loved her wholeheartedly, who needed her, and
She still held onto her previous beliefs. She wanted someone who who didn’t make her feel afraid.
If Jaden couldn’t give her that, she wouldn’t hesitate to find someone else.
Ella said, “Grandpa, if Jaden keeps being so stubborn and disregards my feelings, I won’t stay with him. I don’t even his unless he learns to respect me, listens to my wishes, and stops interfering and oppressing.
“If I never see that day, then I’ll raise the child alone because Jaden doesn’t deserve my love.”
plan to tell him that the child is
Devin said, “Break up with Jaden but keep his child? Have you thought about your future? Being a single mother is tough. Why not abort the child, make things easier for yourself, and find someone more deserving in the future?”
He wanted to reach out and hold Ella’s hand, but she stepped back, avoiding him.
She protected her belly and said, “Grandpa, I want to keep this child.”
Devin said, “Give me a reason.”
“Because this is my and Jaden’s child. Because I want a blood relative. I’ve longed for the child since the moment it began to grow inside me.
‘Grandpa, I can do without Jaden. I don’t need men anymore, but I want this child. With this child, I don’t plan to get married or anything in the future. Why put myself through the misery of finding someone else who could affect my emotions? With a child, I can fulfill my duty to the Willow family. The Willow family will have a successor.
“No matter if it’s a boy or a girl, they will carry my surname. If it’s a girl, she can bring someone into the family when she grows up.”
Devin said, “You’re too stubborn. What can I do with you?”
Devin’s eyes reddened as he looked at her with a pained expression.
He worried that Ella would struggle raising a child alone. And he disapproved of Jaden’s behavior.
Devin thought, ‘Ella must have gone through a difficult time recently:
Ella said, “Grandpa, this is the path I’ve chosen. I have no regrets. Children are more loyal than men, right? At least, even if we quarrel and have conflicts, we’ll reconcile because of our blood ties.”
Devin said, “Your parents‘ death was a huge blow to you.”
Ella said, “Indeed, I’m willing to die for this child.”
“You…” Devin looked at her in shock, his fingers trembling uncontrollably. “Do you know what you’re saying?”
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Chapter 150
“My parents were willing to die for me.
1
can
die
for
my
child too.” Ella didn’t seem to feel anything, giving a faint smile, feeling a sense of relief.
She had wanted to die for a long time, but Devin needed her, and the Willow family needed her.
Every day and night she lived carried a heavy burden, as her parents had died because of her.
protective stance towards her child was more of an imitation. it seemed like only by sacrificing herself could she find some relief for her
shri
s
conscience.
Ella thought, ‘See, I can give up everything for my child too has a
This wasn’t maternal love at
ork, but a form
of
atonement.
Devin said, “Your parents‘ death
was
Ella said, “Did you ever resent me?”
At those words, Devin’s body trembled
For the first time, he felt heartache.
fault…”
He couldn’t even clearly see Ella before him, only a blurred shadow.
Ella said, “I remember when I was hospitalized, you refused to see me. When I came home, your gaze was cold. I stayed at the cemetery all night, but you never came to find me, even though you knew where I was.
h
“Grandpa, you must have hated me. Why save me if it meant dying for me? You could have had another child. If a child is lost, you can have another. But if you lose your only son. You lose everything.
“I’m from the Willow family and my father wanted me to live. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have cared for me, right? Later, you tried to move past it and connect with me, but I could feel how awkward our relationship was. When I was young, I could feel your love, but why did you always push me away when I needed you the most?”
“Ella, I’m sorry… I always thought you were too young to understand…” Devin’s tears flowed freely.
“It’s fine. It’s all in the past. I understand, and I don’t blame you. Because I, like you, dislike myself. Why sacrifice two lives for one person? I still don’t understand it.” Ella shrugged. She still couldn’t figure it out.
She gently touched her belly and said, “So, I want to raise a child and see what kind of magic they have that can move people so deeply. Don’t worry, Grandpa, I’ll live well, as my parents wanted.”
She stepped forward and hugged her grandfather, saying, “Devin, I love you very much, and I don’t blame you.”
I only blame myself, Ella silently added in her heart.
Devin was old, nearing the end of his years.
Ella needed to smile more brightly, so that before Devin passed away, he would always see her happy face, and he could depart with peace of mind. Ella said everything she needed to and then left.
Devin sat alone in the room, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
Cullen walked in and saw Devin’s lost expression. “What’s wrong, Mr. Willow? Why are you crying?”
“Go go get Jaden. I have something to tell him,” Devin said.
“Yes, right away…” Cullen sensed Devin’s urgency and quickly agreed.
Devin added, “Make sure Ella doesn’t know. She mustn’t find out.”
Soon, Jaden quietly returned to the nursing home, avoiding Ella, for a private meeting with Devin.
Devin’s expression was complex as he looked at Jaden, a mix of disdain and regard.
Jaden, now Devin’s grandson–in–law, was inevitably a bit nervous. After all, things were different now. He wasn’t the ignorant fool he once was, and he knew how to behave.
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Jaden said, “Good day, Devin.”
“Don’t call me Devin. I haven’t accepted you
as
grandson–in–law yet.” Devin banged his cane heavily, almost as if he wanted to strike with it.
Jaden kept his head down, not daring to resist.
Devin hadn’t forgotten his purpose and held back his
anger
for the moment.