The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 184 A Decided Slap

Isla, all of sudden, wanted to attend the wedding and nodded in approval. With a forced smile she promised Aron, "Well, as you wish, I will be her bridesmaid."

"My dear daughter...." Isla's Mum pulled her daughter aside and said with a sad voice "My silly daughter, if it is against your will, you do not need to undertake the bridesmaid. Nobody has the right to force you to do it."

"Mum, I am Ok." Isla forced a smile. She wanted to witness the wedding ceremony because Aron wished it, "Mum and Dad, we had better leave now. They need to discuss the wedding and our presence is no longer required."

"Well, let us go." With a heavy heart Isla's Mum agreed.

Isla's Dad, overwhelmed with anger rushed towards Aron and gave him a furious slap. Aron was caught off guard and felt the sting on his face. Isla's Dad showed everyone what a father means to a daughter who had been wronged.

"Uncle, how could you do this?"

"My elder brother, you are going too far!" Mandy and Becky united their voices in protest. Isla's Dad gave Aron a decided slap with such power and might that it terrified Becky.

"Are you OK?" Becky rushed to Aron's aid.

"I'm alright!" Aron thought he deserved such a slap from Isla's Dad and did not object.

"My elder brother, there is no justification for you to slap my son-in-law." Mandy protested.

"I would slap him, even if he was the most influential and powerful man in the world." Isla's Dad said with determination. "Aron, since my daughter promised to be the bridesmaid at your wedding, I have to respect her decision. The main purpose of my visit today is to tell you of my confidence in my daughter, no matter how ill you think of her. I wish to invite police for a thorough investigation of why Joanna's life lays in balance now!"

His words rendered Mandy and Becky paralyzed with fear.

"My elder brother, as I have told you, this matter has been dismissed by Aron's family. There is no necessity in bringing this up again." Mandy said as she looked at her elder brother in embarrassment.

"My daughter's clean conscience defies any assusation!" Isla's Dad cast a cold glance at her sister and said: "Mandy, I have seen through your tricks. I tried every means to support your schooling. What is more, my wife had suffered a miscarriage because of that. Despite everything, I expected nothing back from you. But now, we have decided to sever all family ties with you after the wedding."

"My elder brother, how could you utter such nonsense...." Mandy looked at his elder brother in dismay. Ignoring Mandy, Isla's Dad went to Mike and said: "Sir, I am sorry for the condition that your wife is in right now. But it has nothing to do with my daughter. If you wish to press this matter, we are ready to cooperate."

Isla's Dad might be a rough man from the countryside, but he was a man of principle. He brought his daughter to Mike and told her, "My dear daughter, apologize to this old gentleman."

Isla obeyed and made a deep bow in front of Mike, "I feel awfully sorry for Joanna being in a coma. It has rendered me powerless to defend myself because only she can tell the truth now. However, I will accept whatever investigation you make on this matter. Last but not the least, I wish Aron and Becky a happy wedding."

Afterwards, Isla turned to her father, "Let's go, Dad."

"Ok." Isla's Dad agreed, "Let's go home."

Isla's Dad had mixed feelings: Aron was meant to be his son-in-law, who was about to marry someone else. They were, in the end, not destined for each other.

Isla's family had already left, but suspicions started to grow inside Mike. It was his first time to meet Isla's Dad who, although dressed in simple clothes, was a man of great esteem.

He somehow believed the defense Isla's Dad made for his daughter.

Mike was confused, thinking of the incident four years ago as brought forth by Isla's dad. He asked Mandy, "Can you please explain to me why that family was insisting that Isla and my grandson were a couple in the past?"

"Well..." Mandy did not expect that she would be challenged with this question. She hated Isla's family and wished that they had never come.

"My grandpa, this incident.... it is my fault." Becky had to acknowledge her error and said to Mike, "My cousin and Aron used to be a couple. I had a crush on Aron, but I was also happy to see the two of them stay happy together."

Becky paused and continued. "My cousin and Aron came to celebrate my birthday where all of us got drunk. Aron and I somehow slept together. It was something that my cousin had the greatest difficulty to forgive. I know that I am partly responsible for it. What's worse, I got pregnant, so..."

Becky sighed and continued her story "Afterwards I followed Aron to America. I never thought that my my cousin would still resent me, despite the passing of the years."

"Becky is telling the truth." Mandy came to Beck'y aid. "It was Becky's fault. But her long devotion to Aron should be enough to make up for her mistakes. I take the liberty to ask for your forgiveness..."

Mandy talked with a flattering smile and said to Mike, "This is really embarrassing, I am awfully sorry."

"........" Mike said nothing. Aron drew closer to him and said, "Grandpa, we had better take a leave now."

"All right." Mike nodded gently and said to Mandy, "We have decided on the wedding affairs for the time being. Becky and Aron should adjust the details as necessary."

"All right, grandpa, let me walk you out." Becky offered but was declined by Mike.