Chapter 981 - 973: Treat Her Well 3

Chapter 981: Chapter 973: Treat Her Well 3

Aiden Shaw lowered his gaze, catching a glimpse of the peculiar expression in her eyes.

His eyes deepened slightly, and he withdrew his gaze, turning his head towards the door and replying in a low voice, "Understood, I’ll be there soon. Have him wait for me in the study."

"Okay."

Aiden Shaw sat up from the bed, his previous enthusiasm now largely disrupted.

Linden returned.

He glanced back at her, noticing she seemed to still be pondering something.

He hadn’t seen Linden Hawthorne in a while, and due to the matter with Sixteen, the conversation might not be pleasant. He said softly, "Wait here for me. I’ll take you back to the old house tonight."

Tiana Thorne didn’t make things difficult for him and nodded, "Alright."

The man who could suddenly change his mood must be Linden Hawthorne.

Previously, she had met Linden Hawthorne. He knew about this.

Honestly, she didn’t know how to face that man.

Sometimes, fate is just so ironic.

Linden had saved her in a past life, and she accompanied him for a century.

Every year since then, she waited for him to return, and that wait turned into a millennium.

Unfortunately, there was no more news of him.

Now, he suddenly returned, and she was with Aiden Shaw.

She didn’t know how to repay the feelings she owed her benefactor.

She still remembered, before meeting Aiden Shaw, she had thought:

If he reincarnated as a human, when they met and he was a child, she would protect him for a lifetime.

If he were an animal, she would keep him around.

If he were a man, she would give herself to him.

If he were a woman, she would bond as sworn sisters.

The matter of emotions truly cannot be predicted. Initially, she merely teased Eldest Son Shaw, never imagining she would wholeheartedly entrust her heart.

The Study.

Aiden Shaw pushed open the door.

Linden Hawthorne saw him, stood up from the sofa, and walked towards him, "Aiden."

Aside from being Tiana’s fiancé, he was very pleased to see him again, like when they were kids, bumping shoulders: "Long time no see."

"Mm."

Linden Hawthorne noticed the faint fragrance on him, which wasn’t a scent a man would use.

His eyes showed a hint of heaviness, yet he didn’t mention it.

Afterward, the two sat down by the sofa.

Uncle Hughes brought over the tea cups, "Mr. Hawthorne, please have some tea."

"Thank you."

After Uncle Hughes left, Linden Hawthorne asked, "How have you been these years?"

"Pretty good, and you?"

Linden Hawthorne smiled, his voice like jade: "Also very well."

Aiden Shaw saw him smile, his eyes warmly recalling their childhood together.

He asked softly, "I heard you’ve been doing research, and even became a teacher, why, don’t plan to take over the family business?"

Linden Hawthorne shook his head, "You know, I don’t like the politicking in the entertainment industry. Being a teacher, having free time for research, that suits me."

Aiden Shaw nodded, didn’t continue discussing work, and asked, "Will you leave again after coming back this time?"

"Not leaving."

Aiden Shaw’s eyes deepened, remained silent.

"My mom’s health isn’t good; as a son, I need to be by her side."

Aiden Shaw asked concernedly, "Is it better now?"

"Mm."

Linden Hawthorne leaned back on the sofa, "When there’s time, let’s play basketball. Thinking back, the last time we played basketball was years ago."

"I’m always available."

Linden Hawthorne heard this and smiled again, his voice smooth as jade: "All these years, you’re still the same as when you were a kid, never refusing whatever I say."

Aiden Shaw smiled briefly, remained silent.

Linden Hawthorne noticed the smile at his lips, somewhat surprised, yet somewhat expected, "Your personality has changed a bit."

"How has it changed?"

Linden Hawthorne picked up the teacup, his words seemingly casual, "Before, you rarely smiled, always wore a stern face. Since entering the study to now, you’ve smiled four times."

"You haven’t changed a bit, still observing so meticulously."

Linden Hawthorne took a sip of tea, then stood up, looked at the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling window, his eyes dazed for a moment before asking, "Is she well?"

Ultimately, the two brothers couldn’t bypass this topic.

He knew who Linden Hawthorne was referring to.

"She’s doing well."

Linden Hawthorne laughed quietly, then his voice carried a slight hoarseness, "To be factual, dad told me to come back, said Tiana was found, yet he also told me she’s already someone else’s fiancée."

After saying this, he turned around, leaned against the desk, his slender hand tapping the table rhythmically, raised his brows: "Aiden, I’ve waited so many years, what do you say, should I give up?"

He seemingly couldn’t answer this for Linden Hawthorne.

He wasn’t Linden Hawthorne, didn’t know his waiting heart all these years, could only remain silent.

"Is she at the villa?"

Aiden Shaw didn’t hide it: "Yes, she’s there."

"During my time in Varden, I saw her; back then, didn’t know she was Tiana Thorne, the fiancée my parents arranged for me."

Aiden Shaw knew this was somewhat hurtful to him. However, he had to protect his own feelings.

He lifted his gaze, the warmth in his eyes gradually turned serious: "Linden, she’s no longer your fiancée."

Linden Hawthorne’s handsome brows furrowed slightly, yet he said nothing.

He seemed to be digesting this news.

"Without knowledge, I interacted with her, only after being together did I learn, when you were kids, you and she were betrothed, but that was a past matter, she and I, we’re together now."

Linden Hawthorne remained silent, his hand gripping the desk slightly pale.

His breathing became heavier.

He lifted his gaze, those moon-like white eyes containing a hint of scrutiny, ultimately laughing lightly: "I thought you wouldn’t personally tell me."

"Given the circumstances, as your brother, naturally, I needed to tell you."

Linden Hawthorne looked at him, also saw the firmness and earnestness in his eyes: "Dad said you love her deeply; it seems not untrue."

He didn’t speak, merely met his gaze, seemingly searching for something within them.

"Linden, about this matter, you..."

Linden Hawthorne said, "You don’t need to say it, I understand. Actually, when she suddenly disappeared, all these years, I kept thinking maybe she wouldn’t return."

Saying this, he walked over to him, sat down again beside him.

"For me, it’s an unexpected surprise, only, my presence for you and Tiana isn’t quite that, right."

Aiden Shaw remained silent; he spoke the truth.

"Initially, after knowing, I was quite angry; then I thought, you didn’t know of this, it had nothing to do with you, less with her. Ultimately, Tiana and I, it’s merely being fated without destiny."

Aiden Shaw felt somewhat shocked, seemingly not expecting he’d let go that easily.

Linden Hawthorne curved his lips into a smile, just like the past him, every smile carrying a warmth that healed: "Promise me one thing."