CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: DON’T PUSH ME

The incident with Daisy’s peanut allergy seemed like it just happened yesterday.

Tiana Linden still felt a wave of fear.

In her anger, she tightened her grip on the scissors she was using to trim the flower stems.

If Vivian Linden and Aiden Grant dared to harm her Daisy again, she would definitely fight them to the death.

Seeing Tiana Linden’s eyes filled with hate and pain, Kiera Chaucer took the scissors from her hand and held her cold hand.

"Tiana, I understand why you don’t want Daisy to reunite with Aiden Grant."

"A man like him certainly can’t take good care of Daisy."

"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find good adoptive parents for Daisy."

"If I can’t, I will help you raise Daisy."

For a moment, Tiana Linden didn’t know how to thank Kiera Chaucer, "..."

Her eyes filled with tears, "Kiera, I don’t know how to thank you enough."

"If you want to thank me, take good care of yourself, and strive to spend more time with Daisy."

Kiera Chaucer was a woman too.

She didn’t have any jealousy because Tiana Linden was her husband’s true love.

On the contrary, she felt that fate was ruthless, making Tiana Linden go through so many tragic things.

When Kiera Chaucer wiped Tiana Linden’s tears, she too was full of tears, "Tiana, make sure you cherish the days you have left."

Tiana Linden firmly nodded.

As the two women talked intimately, Leo Sutton watched them with complex emotions.

He blamed himself for mistakenly trusting Aiden Grant, causing Tiana Linden to suffer so much with Aiden Grant.

At the same time, Leo Sutton was immensely grateful to have married an understanding wife like Kiera Chaucer.

Just then, Leo Sutton received a call from his assistant, "Leo, you better head over to the court; the case won’t be resolved without you."

Since Tiana Linden didn’t want to go to court with Aiden Grant, Leo Sutton didn’t need to stay here to discuss the case with her.

He got up, "Kiera, spend more time with Tiana. I need to go to court."

After Leo Sutton left, the two women stayed together to arrange flowers.

Tiana Linden picked up the white eustomas and paired them with blue hydrangeas, "Kiera, when is your due date?"

Kiera Chaucer also continued arranging her flowers as she replied, "May 1st. It’s the same day as my wedding anniversary with Leo."

May 1st.

Tiana Linden wanted to say that when Kiera Chaucer gave birth, she would definitely visit her at the hospital.

But she feared she wouldn’t make it to that day.

So she didn’t continue the discussion, and even her movements in trimming the flower stems slowed down.

"I don’t know if I’ll make it to that day."

Seeing her suddenly become dejected, Kiera Chaucer assured her with solemn promise:

"Tiana, I don’t know how to comfort you. I can’t help with your illness, but I can promise that if no one adopts Daisy, I will help you raise her."

At that moment, the manager of the floral art club walked over and stopped in front of Kiera Chaucer, apologetically bowing:

"Mrs. Sutton, I’m really sorry, but we need to clear the venue today."

"Clear the venue?" Kiera Chaucer didn’t understand, as she had always been a VIP client at this floral art club.

How could she suddenly be cleared out?

The manager apologized, explaining, "A couple needs to urgently do a wedding photoshoot here. The client’s fiancée hurt her waist, so they are in a rush."

Kiera Chaucer replied angrily, "If she hurt her waist, she should be resting at home. What’s all this fuss about? They’re clients, but aren’t we clients too?"

The manager felt troubled.

Although Kiera Chaucer was Leo Sutton’s wife and they couldn’t afford to offend her.

But even more, they couldn’t afford to offend the people doing the wedding photoshoot.

The biggest shareholders of the Linden-Grant Group were here to book the venue and do a wedding shoot; how could they not clear out for them?

Otherwise, if they upset this client, they could close down the floral art club in a heartbeat.

Kiera Chaucer didn’t want to argue with them, "Forget it, Tiana, let’s go."

As they left, Kiera Chaucer and Tiana Linden saw the couple who reserved the venue for the wedding shoot, and it turned out to be Aiden Grant and Vivian Linden.

Kiera didn’t know Vivian Linden.

But she recognized Aiden Grant.

Back then, Leo Sutton secretly admired Tiana Linden, but because she had a perfect man like Aiden Grant by her side, Leo Sutton kept his feelings hidden and never confessed to her.

Even as Leo Sutton’s wife, Kiera would feel regret for Leo Sutton.

With her pregnant belly, she took two steps forward, "Who would have thought, it’s President Grant. We were enjoying ourselves here, but the staff cleared the venue for everyone. Aiden Grant, to take wedding photos with your scheming fiancée, you do things like this; aren’t you afraid your future child will be born without an anus?"

Tiana Linden almost laughed out loud.

She didn’t expect Kiera would be so gentle with her and Daisy, yet so confrontational with Aiden Grant and Vivian Linden.

Tiana Linden watched quietly from the side.

At this moment, Aiden Grant glanced at Tiana Linden beside Kiera.

Aiden Grant knew of Leo Sutton’s wife, Kiera, but wasn’t familiar with her.

Why did Kiera look for Tiana Linden?

"Tiana, come here; I have something to say to you."

After speaking, Aiden Grant walked off.

The Tiana Linden behind him didn’t follow Aiden Grant.

Ignoring Vivian Linden’s presence, Aiden Grant pulled Tiana to a spot a dozen meters away.

Tiana forcefully shook him off, "What are you doing?"

"Did Mrs. Sutton find out about the thing between you and Leo Sutton?"

Was Mrs. Sutton here today to cause trouble for Tiana?

Aiden Grant frowned.

Then he added another sentence.

"Tiana, I’ve told you many times, Leo Sutton is a married man."

The last time Leo and Tiana spoke about Daisy’s adoption papers and the will, Aiden had misunderstood ever since.

Tiana Linden felt utterly speechless.

"Are you crazy? Any association with any man means I’m seducing someone?"

Aiden Grant retorted, "Can’t you set a good example for your daughter?"

Tiana Linden angrily said, "Aiden Grant, you’re not worthy to mention my daughter."

Aiden Grant was a fool!

Even knowing Daisy was allergic to peanuts and that Daisy, like him, didn’t eat cilantro or scallions, and having the same artistic talent, he stubbornly believed the tampered paternity test.

Being Daisy’s biological father, he hadn’t fulfilled any obligations.

From now on, Tiana wouldn’t allow Daisy to have any ties with Aiden Grant.

Seeing how enraged she was, Aiden felt his chest tighten, "Tiana, you said Daisy isn’t my daughter. She’s yours and Hector Chaucer’s."

Tiana Linden followed his words, firmly stating, "Now that you know Daisy isn’t your daughter, why overstep?"

"..." For a moment, Aiden didn’t know how to respond.

He really didn’t have the right to interfere.

But for some reason, images of Daisy’s adorable little self constantly appeared in his mind.

He didn’t want Daisy to suffer with Tiana.

He advised, "Tiana, Leo Sutton’s wife is pregnant. You’re also a mother; you shouldn’t interfere with others’ relationships."

Tiana Linden was about to curse, when Kiera, with her pregnant belly, quickly walked up from behind.

"Aiden Grant, don’t you dare slander my husband and Tiana. They are completely innocent. But you, here you are about to marry your fiancée, yet meddling with your ex-girlfriend’s affairs. Are you eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot?"

Kiera stepped forward, shielding Tiana, "Aiden Grant you have no right to meddle in Tiana’s matters."

Kiera’s words left Aiden Grant speechless.

But he wasn’t sure if Kiera knew about Tiana and Leo’s situation.

He didn’t want Leo’s wife to trouble Tiana.

So, Aiden decided not to continue on the previous topic.

Just then, Vivian Linden, dressed in her wedding gown, rubbing her aching waist, walked up, "Aiden, maybe we should postpone the wedding photoshoot. My waist is hurt badly; I want to go back."

Vivian Linden felt aggrieved.

Aiden Grant was supposed to be here for the wedding photoshoot, but the moment he saw Tiana Linden, he forgot all about it.

She was in tears, turning to leave, and Aiden had no choice but to chase after her.

After they left, Tiana looked awkwardly at pregnant Kiera Chaucer and said, "Kiera, Aiden was just talking nonsense. Leo Sutton and I..."

"Tiana, I won’t overthink it or misunderstand. I know why Aiden would think that way, because back then Leo secretly had a crush on you."

Kiera felt a great sense of relief after revealing this secret.

The secret that Leo Sutton had kept in his heart, never having the courage to speak of it before, and now too afraid to confess, she had finally spoken for him.

This left Tiana surprised and even more embarrassed, "I...Kiera, you must be mistaken. Leo and I were just regular school friends back then."

"You don’t need to feel guilty." Kiera said honestly, "I just wanted to tell you, not every guy is a jerk. Once, you were deeply loved by Leo. After he learned about your situation, he was always worried about you. I felt the same. He wants to help you, and I support him."

Kiera’s straightforwardness earned Tiana’s admiration.

She did not harbor any resentment because of Leo’s past affections for Tiana.

"Kiera, you meeting Leo is his blessing earned from a previous life."

"Of course, I will love him dearly and also treat the person he once cared for well. Besides, Tiana, you’re such a wonderful girl."

The two women shared a knowing smile.

In that smile, it seemed a deep friendship had taken root and was beginning to blossom between them.

...

Vivian Linden, whose wedding photoshoot remained incomplete, returned to Tranquil Villa at Star River Bay.

Once home, she locked herself in her room.

She even skipped dinner.

James Linden brought dinner to her bedroom, but she refused to eat a single bite.

When James asked her what had happened, she shed silent tears and said with grievance, "Dad, don’t worry about me, I’m fine."

But her tears told James that his darling daughter had surely been wronged.

And it was undoubtedly related to Aiden Grant and Tiana Linden.

James left the food and walked out.

Daniel Linden anxiously approached, "Dad, did Vivian eat?"

James sighed and shook his head, "Since Tiana returned to Veridia, Aiden’s been acting oddly. Vivian’s been suffering. I really don’t know what trouble Tiana is causing."

"I’ll go in and find out what happened." Daniel, having heard of Vivian’s return in tears, dropped his important tasks and rushed back without having dinner.

Once back, without even taking a sip of water, he headed for Vivian’s door.

The father and son stood by Vivian’s door, each deeply concerned.

They felt for Vivian, who was constantly crying, who had a back injury yet still went for a wedding photoshoot with Aiden, who refused to eat dinner.

But they forgot, once they too had such empathy for Tiana.

When Daniel got permission to enter, he walked into Vivian’s room.

He sat down, glanced at the untouched food on the bedside table, and asked with heartache, "Vivian, what’s upsetting you? Tell your brother, I’ll stand up for you."

Vivian shook her head, crying silently, saying nothing.

Daniel continued, "When you went with Aiden for the wedding photoshoot, weren’t you still happily enjoying yourself?"

Mentioning the photoshoot made Vivian cry even harder, "We didn’t end up having the wedding photoshoot."

"Why?"

"We ran into sister at the photoshoot location."

"Tiana again?"

Daniel grew more irritated with Tiana, "Why doesn’t Tiana ever stop haunting us?"

Vivian wiped her tears and gently said, "Brother, don’t blame sister. Today was really just by chance, but, but Aiden seems like he can’t let go of her. If sister hadn’t returned to Veridia, would Aiden not be so troubled? After all, sister was once the woman Aiden loved. No one is at fault; the fault lies in that I met Aiden later than sister did."

Daniel comforted, "Vivian, don’t blame yourself. This is Tiana’s fault. She knows you’re about to marry Aiden but intentionally shows up around him—it’s her calculated move. I’ll go find her."

With that, Daniel rose angrily.

His demeanor suggested he intended to confront Tiana.

From behind, Vivian called out, "Brother, don’t go to her. She has enough struggles raising Daisy by herself."

Daniel didn’t turn back, "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."

After Daniel left, Vivian breathed a sigh of relief.

The food on the bedside table remained untouched.

Instead, she sneakily pulled out cookies and chocolates from under the covers.

She was starving.

This hunger strike move was tough, but effective.

However, she would never truly starve; the cookies tasted even better as she chewed.

Once she finished eating, she cleaned up any evidence.

Then, she called Harvey Patton, "Mr. Patton, now is a good time to approach Daniel again. He might relent this time."

Initially, Daniel intended to find Tiana.

But instead, he went to Serenity Villa at Star River Bay.

Sitting on the couch in the living room, he waited for Aiden Grant to return.

At that moment, he received a call from Harvey Patton, "My future brother-in-law, have you thought about that matter?"

This time, Daniel didn’t get angry.

He neither agreed nor refused.

But his mood was irritable, "Harvey, stop bothering me."

Click, he hung up and lit a cigarette, "Mrs. Walsh, bring me an ashtray."

The slightly chubby housekeeper, Mrs. Walsh of The Grant Family, turned to fetch him an ashtray.

In less than half an hour, the ashtray was filled with stub after stub of cigarette butts from Daniel.

Mrs. Walsh and Uncle Carter, who were nearby, endured the unpleasant second-hand smoke but dared not speak out.

Aiden Grant entered from the elevator, the strong smoke irritating his nose.

Waving a hand against the air, he glanced at Daniel sitting in dismay on the sofa, then at the full ashtray on the coffee table.

"This is not the place to smoke."

Snubbing out his cigarette, Daniel stood up, "Aiden, either stop meeting Tiana or move up the wedding with Vivian. Choose one of the two."

Aiden didn’t reply immediately.

He removed his coat and handed it to Mrs. Walsh beside him.

Then he sat back on the sofa, not even glancing at Daniel, "Didn’t your dad say the wedding date didn’t have to strictly follow the Feng Shui master’s advice?"

Daniel, angered, replied off-topic, "Aiden, you were supposed to take Vivian for the wedding photoshoot today. Why didn’t you complete it, and why did you make her come back crying?"

"Did she complain to you?" Aiden lifted his gaze.

Vivian had never been one to complain before.

Today, he hadn’t done anything wrong by Vivian.

This pettiness between women wasn’t something Vivian used to have.

A feeling of distaste arose in Aiden’s heart, "What else did she say?"

"Aiden, are you a man?" Daniel clenched his fists, "You didn’t properly take wedding photos with Vivian and were seen clinging to Tiana. And you’re blaming Vivian for complaining? Isn’t she allowed to express her grievances?"

Seeing the cigarette-filled ashtray, Aiden’s face darkened, "Mrs. Walsh, tidy this up."

Aiden’s attitude displeased Daniel, "Aiden, what exactly are you thinking? In just over thirty days you’re marrying Vivian, why can’t you cut ties with Tiana?"

Aiden asked calmly, "Are you done?"

"No."

"Sorry, I don’t have time."

Seated comfortably on the sofa, Aiden continued, "Tell Vivian, I’ll hold her kindness in my heart. The wedding will proceed as planned; she shouldn’t overthink it."

Daniel frowned, "So, you’re marrying Vivian out of gratitude. But you can’t forget Tiana in your heart?"

No one responded to Daniel.

Aiden had already gotten up and was heading upstairs.

His long legs paused on the staircase, but he remained silent.

This silence made Daniel boil with anger, "Aiden, don’t push me!"

If Aiden continued his back and forth with Tiana, he couldn’t guarantee he’d remain sane.

If that happened, he’d have no choice but to deliver Tiana straight to Harvey Patton’s bed.