The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 215 Press Conference

"Grandma...." Becky held Joanna's hands, "Aron listens to you. You can surely talk him back into marrying me."

"Becky, I wanted to talk to you so I could apologize and acknowledge your efforts in caring for me and my husband. In return, I did treat you with the due love that befits a granddaughter-in-law. But with what happened...... It is quite another story...."

Becky slowly let go of her hands, losing almost all hope.

Joanna would have considered forgiving Becky despite her faking pregnancy and even pushing her into a coma. But Joanna could not overlook Becky shifting the blame onto Isla who almost got thrown into prison because of it. She could not possibly give Becky another chance now.

"Becky, I have to remind you. Even though Aron grew up under my love and care, he is now a grown man with his own thinking and disposition. Anyone, I am sure, would be furious at your treachery." Joanna let out a heavy sigh, "I had long assumed that Aron had a prejudice against you. Now, Aron should be able to choose whom to marry at his own discretion. He knows what kind of girl is right for him. My husband and I will no longer interfere with his decisions."

"It being the case, there is no point of my staying here!" Becky quickly changed her tone, dropping her act. With all possible hope lost, there was no need to talk to Joanna with respect. She let out a sinister smile, "Don't you know? I can't wait to see you dead. After your death, Aron will be mine forever."

Becky screamed out to Joanna. "You are as good as dead to me!"

Joanna remained well poised at Becky's sudden change of character, for there was no point of getting mad at her.

Joanna grinned, "You have lost your mind. I dare say if you killed me, Aron would send you to jail, much less marry you." Joanna continued, "Although Mike and I trusted you wholeheartedly, Aron kept searching for evidence to prove your faked pregnancy during his four years abroad. Now that he has them all, he has the power to deal with you and give you what you deserve. Pestering us this way will get you nowhere."

Becky's countenance turned pale. So Aron had never believed in her. That explained why Aron had developed a lukewarm attitude towards her, and had refused to acknowledge their relationship.

Joanna continued, "Becky, Mike and I would have forced your marriage on him had we not learned of your evildoing. What a pity.... You are still an amateur. You should have been more careful with the steps you took until the completion of your plot."

Becky was overwhelmed with regret and futility at the realization of the loss of Joanna's trust and support.

"Grandma...." Becky grasped Joanna's hands, and again started to plead. But Joanna was no longer in the mood to continue this conversation "Becky, we are willing to turn a blind eye to what you have done. But if you still have some sanity, you and Aron should discuss a way to call off the wedding. Besides that....... I really don't know what else I can do for you.

Joanna intentionally closed her eyes, paying no heed to what Becky would say.

It was getting difficult for her to withstand the growing sense of disappointment in Becky who failed to live up to her expectations.

11

Becky wanted to plead further, hoping that she could change Joanna's mind. But she realized that there was nothing she could do to reverse the situation. Helpless, hopeless and shamed, she walked out of the ward. Aron saw her step out so he went into the ward to replace Joanna lying on the bed quiet and relaxed. "Grandma, I'm gonna heat your breakfast, it's getting cold."

"Don't bother." Joanna said, "I don't mind if it's cold. About Becky, she needs to talk to you about something important. You had better talk it over with her now....."

"My grandma, thanks for your concern! I know how to deal with it." Aron nodded gently in obedience to Joanna. Aron, had indeed grown into a young man with confidence and assertiveness, no longer his previous self who easily bowed to others' instructions..

Aron walked out of the room and headed to the staircase, followed by Becky. Mike was left in the ward to attend to Joanna.

Aron fumbled around in his trouser pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. He smoked a piece without uttering a word. Aron used to keep himself away from smoking. However due to social pressure, he found it hard to quit.

Becky looked at Aron in shame, at a loss on how to start a conversation with him, putting up with his continuous smoking.

"You have something to talk to me about?" Aron finally broke the ice, not wanting to waste any more time with Becky.

"I......." Becky started, her embarrassment taking over her. "Since you have discovered my whole scheme, There is nothing I can say to make things better, is there?"

Aron replied with a sarcastic laugh "Well, let us forget the past. I have decided to hold a press conference tomorrow where I will make the official statement and cancel our wedding. If you want, you can tell the public it is your decision. Are you ok with that?"

Aron's decision was, indeed, in favor of Becky to save her face. However, clasping Aron's hands instead, Becky pleaded, "Aron, is there not a tiny chance to fix our relationship? To part with you will be the death of me. I acknowledge my mistake but please give me a chance to redeem myslef, I will......"

"You are deluded to think that will happen!" Aron broke off Becky's hands and warned, "My decision to cancel the wedding, as you should know, shows my extreme patience towards you. Speaking at tomorrow's press conference was meant to favor you and lessen the shame. But I will make the public known of the cancellation with or without your presence, which would be a scandal to your family. We are over, Becky. You and I are done."

"Why do you like hurting my feeling this way?" Becky looked at Aron in desperation and cried, "My four-year devotion to you, as I believe, should be repaid with your love and trust, but.... now I replace myself a complete idiot."

Aron didn't care the slightest bit about Becky's feelings. Becky deserved whatever had befallen her.

"From the very beginning, the woman I love has been no one but Isla. But you resorted to treachery and deception to break us apart and that lasted for four years. Fortunately, destiny has arranged for Isla and me to meet again despite the challenges of life. You and I on the other hand were never meant to be together."

"Have we ever been together?" Becky smiled bitterly. "Aron, I will make you regret your decision someday!"