"Ella, I don’t know how else to explain this to you. These two are completely different matters," Aiden said, trying to reason with her for what felt like the hundredth ti. Yet, deep down, he knew her relentless determination wouldn’t let this go anyti soon.
"How is this any different? Tell !" Ella shot back, her voice rising in frustration. "According to you, our father did sothing to harm her, and I was sent away from ho because of the sa reason. Now your wife is back and unhard, and even I’ve been allowed to return. So why are you still so insistent on keeping father away? His actions didn’t even destroy your relationship like mine did! Dam* it! If Serena had not t Sidney again then your divorce would never have happened."
"Ella, please try to understand," Aiden pleaded, his tone weary but firm as he ignored the reminder about his divorce. Yes. He was aware that she was not yet his wife again so Ella did not have to poke that burn. "I have no intention of letting Charles Hawk return ho. This is final."
"You say his na as if he’s nothing to you!" she exclaid, her voice trembling with anger and accusation. "I know, I know he’s been a horrible father to you, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s still your father. His indifference, his mistakes—none of that changes who he is to us. You can’t just erase that. Bring him back!"
Aiden sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he debated how much to say. Should he tell her the truth? So far, he had kept the details to himself, confiding only in their grandmother. Nathan, sharp as ever, had eventually pieced it together on his own.
Ella, though, was different. Telling her the full truth—that their father was, at best, a disgrace and, at worst, a dangerous man who had drugged Serena—would only wound her. And even then, she might not believe it. He knew her heart clung stubbornly to the idea of family, no matter how fractured it was. She’d buried her head in sand like an ostrich.
He opened his mouth to refuse her again, prepared for another round of arguing, when Ella suddenly played her ultimate card. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice cracked as she spoke.
"As a child," she began, her words were soft but still managed to make him go weak. Dam* it! This was not fair! She could have raised her voice higher and he would not have minded! But this.. With a sigh of resignation he heard her plea, "all I ever wanted was to live with my family. But my mother chose to take away. Later, when I finally ca back, all I found was endless fighting between all of you. I’ve spent so much ti trying—trying my hardest—to bring everyone together, to make us feel like a family. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, Aiden. To live with my father and brothers under one roof. Even if it’s just for a little while. Is that too much to ask?"
Her voice broke on the last word, and the sight of her tears hit Aiden harder than he cared to admit. He knew he’d already lost this battle, but even so, he wasn’t ready to let it go without a fight. Not when the man she wanted to bring back into their lives had the potential to hurt her in ways she couldn’t even imagine.
"Fine," he said at last, his tone clipped and reluctant. "I’ll give in to you this ti."
Ella’s teary eyes widened as she looked up at him. It had worked. Millie had been right. The woman had ssaged her earlier, insisting that if she said the right words and started crying, Aiden would cave. And he really had.
For a mont, a flicker of guilt twisted in Ella’s chest. She knew she was manipulating him. Aiden loved her, deeply and unconditionally, and the thought of her in tears was sothing he simply couldn’t bear. That love had made him give in so easily. And though every word she had spoken was true—every tear she shed ca from a genuine place—she still felt uneasy about the strategy she had used.
But Ella pushed the guilt aside, telling herself that this was for the best. It was what she wanted, what she needed. And now, he was agreeing. She studied him closely, noticing the tension in his posture and the way his jaw tightened, even as he tried to maintain a calm exterior. Despite his stubbornness, he truly cared. He really did love her.
For a brief mont, relief and gratitude welled up inside her. She’d almost convinced herself that she had lost her brother to Serena, that his priorities had shifted so far from their family that he wouldn’t care anymore. But now, seeing him relent at just the sight of her tears, she felt that bond between them still holding strong.
She was about to wipe away her tears, maybe even throw her arms around him in thanks, when Aiden’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
"But," he said firmly, his eyes narrowing as he t her gaze, "I have a few conditions."
Ella’s relief was short-lived. She could see the hardness in Aiden’s eyes, the way he was already bracing himself for her reaction. Whatever he was about to say, it wasn’t going to be simple. And she might not like it.
"What conditions?" she asked cautiously, her voice trembling as she tried to keep her composure.
"First," Aiden began, "he will only be allowed to return after my wedding to Serena. Not before."
Ella’s heart sank. She stared at him in disbelief, her tears drying up as anger began to bubble inside her. Here she was again. Between them. "What? That could take months, Aiden!"
"Exactly," he said. "And that’s the point. I need ti to ensure he doesn’t interfere. I won’t risk him ruining things for Serena or . It’s non-negotiable."
Ella’s lips trembled as she struggled to find words. "You’re punishing him for sothing that didn’t even involve Serena anymore! She’s fine now, isn’t she? This is just your way of controlling everything."
Aiden ignored her accusation and moved on. "Second, if he cos back, he stays under strict conditions. He won’t have access to the family accounts again, and he won’t be allowed to return to the business or take any decisions regarding the estate. Those privileges are gone."
"But..."
"Third," Aiden cut her off and continued," He will live there on the estate only when you are there. So, whenever you return to the university, he will leave too.
"You want to strip him of his dignity? He’s still our father, Aiden!"
Aiden scoffed, his voice rising for the first ti. "You think he deserves dignity after everything he’s done? After the damage he’s caused? I’m already bending more than I should for you, Ella. Don’t ask for more than this."
The finality in his tone stung. She could feel her control slipping. But Aiden wasn’t done.
"And lastly," he said, his gaze piercing, "if he steps out of line—even once—he’s gone. Permanently. No third chances. Let him know that."
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