Chapter 13 Nora , wearing an exquisite white cashmere coat , looked gentle and elegant , her ears adorned with Australian white pearls . Just her shawl around her neck was worth tens of thousands . The saleswoman quickly approached her . Sterling , is Mr. Sterling not accompanying you to select jewelry today ? Mrs. Sterling , weve received the latest arrivals . Each piece is suitable for you . Sterling , the jade you asked me to hold for you has arrived . You should try it on ; it will complement your complexion beautifully . The saleswomen addressed her as Mrs. Sterling one after another , and Nora looked at Aveline with a triumphant smile , declaring her victory . Everyone knew that Alexander doted on her like a treasure , but they didnt realize that Aveline was the one he had married officially Avelines hands , hanging at her sides , clenched into fists . Why did she have to meet the person she least wanted to see at her most miserable moment ? Nora gently asked , Selling such high quality rings for cash might lead to a significant loss . Aveline reached out and took the ring box . Her face turned ashen . Im not selling it . Not selling it ? What a pity . I quite like this ring , and considering our previous meeting , I was willing to pay a high price for it . Miss Blackwood , arent you short of money ? The way Nora said this made Aveline realize that Nora had exploited her weakness . The saleswomen around tried to persuade her , Miss , this is Mr. Sterlings fiancee , so Miss Blackwood , you can be sure she will give you a good price . You wont even have to go through our usual process to get the money . The repeated use of Mrs. Sterling was truly ironic . She had once sworn to herself that she wouldnt get a divorce , but a year later , she had become the talk of the town . Aveline felt that her marriage to Alexander had turned into a calculated farce . Seeing Aveline hesitate , Nora approached her with a smiling face . Miss Blackwood , why dont you name your price ? Chapter 13 The smug look on Noras face was disgusting . Avelines eyebrows furrowed . Im not selling it . However , Nora wouldnt give up . Aveline , youre already at your wits end . Do you really need to hold onto your dignity ? If I were you , Id let it go . Has no one told you that clinging desperately looks quite pitiful ? Nora , your words are truly amusing . If youre so fond of taking things , why dont you go rob a bank ? As the two women argued , the ring flew out of the box , arcing through the air , and landed on the ground with a ding . Aveline quickly moved to retrieve it , but the ring rolled to a pair of exquisitely crafted leather shoes by the door . She bent down to pick it up , and a drop of rain fell on her neck , sending a chilling shiver down her spine . Aveline raised her head slowly , meeting the cold , heartless eyes of Alexander . He still held the black umbrella , with raindrops falling gently from the curved canopy onto her . His elegant black wool coat accentuated his sharp and impeccable physique . Aveline was transfixed as she remembered the first time she saw him . He had been twenty years old , standing in a sunlit field wearing a white shirt , as though he were standing at the center of her heart , forever imprinted in her memory when she was just fourteen . She , wearing a knitted sweater , her fine texture making her look even slimmer , with a sharp chin that seemed even more pronounced than it had three months ago . He was unparalleled in his magnificence , while she was insignificant like dust . Avelines hand , about to reach for the ring , froze in place . This ring had been designed by him to her liking subtle , unique , and the only one of its kind . After he had placed it on her finger , except for removing it during showers , she had never taken it off in any situation . If it werent for the pressing need for money , she wouldnt have resorted to this , but the precious . possession she treasured was now considered worthless by others . He wasnt stepping on the ring ; he was stepping on all her precious memories . Nora approached Alexander and explained , Alexander , you arrived just in time . I saw Aveline selling her ring . Chapter 13 Alexanders expression remained icy , and his frigid gaze fell on Avelines frustrated face as he asked coldly , Are you selling this ring ? Aveline fought back her tears , clenching her lips to prevent herself from crying . Sterling , are you interested in buying it ? Alexanders lips curled into a mocking smile . I remember how important this ring was to you , Aveline . It seems your love for it wasnt as deep as you claimed . To me , something without a heart is just trash . Aveline was about to respond when a sharp pain stabbed through her stomach , triggering her nerves . As the tumor grew , the pain had intensified from a mild discomfort to a piercing agony . She looked at the elegant couple , looking so perfectly matched under the bright fluorescent lights , characters from a classic story . like Suddenly , she had no strength to argue further . Even if she wanted to give him her whole heart , a man who had changed his heart wouldnt care . Aveline fought through the pain and picked up the ring . She returned to the counter , retrieving the box . and receipt . She didnt want to appear weak in front of Alexander , even though she was on the verge of passing out from pain . She maintained her determined stride even as her steps felt increasingly unsteady . As she walked past Alexander , she muttered softly , Just like Mr. Sterling , I once considered it my destiny . Now , its merely a stone I can exchange for money . Alexander sensed that something was not quite right with her . Sweat was trickling down her pale forehead , and her complexion had turned ghostly white . His large hand suddenly grabbed her arm . In a low voice , he asked , Whats wrong with you ? Aveline shook off his hand . Its none of your business . She didnt look back at him and did her best to straighten her spine , disappearing from his view . Alexander stared at her departing figure , perplexed . Even though she was the one he had willingly let go , why did his heart ache ? Aveline found a secluded spot and hastily retrieved some painkillers from her bag . She knew that all treatments and cancer medications came with side effects , so she had bought only some over the counter painkillers and antacids , which could provide minimal relief . Chapter 11 Looking at the torrential rain outside , was there no other way ? She didnt want to see that person , but for her fathers sake , she had to give it a try . Aveline returned home to freshen up , then took a Uber to the Grandview Garden . More than a year ago , she had made an international call to her . They hadnt seen each other in over to years , and she had no idea how she was doing now . Aveline looked at the luxurious villa , a sign that she had been She c doing all these tears explained her visit to the servant , who led her to the living room . A dignified and beautiful woman sat there , just as Aveline remembered her . Aveline , the woman gazed at her . But no matter how hard she tried , she couldnt call her Mom . Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...