Delayed Regrets: He Regretted Only After Her Death-Chapter 79: Daddy, Is Mommy Going to Die? (Crying to Death!)
It’s Daisy crying!
The sobs, broken and intermittent.
Yet Aiden Grant felt as if a heavy hammer had slammed into his chest.
Right in front of him, Vivian Linden was handing him a bowl of soup.
He had planned to take it and say thank you.
The bowl hovered in mid-air.
Just as he touched the rim, Daisy’s cries reached him, clawing at his heart, and he got up without thinking.
Clang!
The bowl of soup crashed onto the table.
Soup splattered all over Aiden Grant.
He didn’t notice at all.
Clutching his phone, he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
"Daisy, don’t cry yet. What happened?"
"Did someone bully you?"
Daisy’s voice was hoarse from crying as she trembled out:
"Daddy... can you save, save Mommy?"
"What happened to Mommy? Is Leo Sutton there?" Aiden asked patiently.
Did Tiana Linden fall?
Got hurt?
Aiden’s gut twisted with sudden worry.
"Daddy, don’t you have medicine?"
"Give the medicine to Mommy, save her, please?"
"Daddy, I’m begging you."
"Mommy’s going to die."
Daisy’s sobs tore at Aiden’s heart.
How could Tiana bear to use such a pure, lovely Daisy as a tool?
Aiden’s anxiety was instantly gone.
A wave of disgust and loathing rose inside him.
"Daisy, did Mommy tell you to call me?"
"No, Daddy, Mommy can hardly hold on."
"..."
"Daddy, I’m begging you, just one box of medicine for Mommy, please?"
Aiden squeezed his phone tightly.
As he tightened his grip, veins bulged along his hand.
"Daisy, Uncle can’t give you the medicine."
"Uncle still has things to do."
"I’m hanging up."
He hung up on Daisy, and Aiden’s heart twisted with guilt.
Daisy’s heartbroken wails echoed in his mind.
His heart was torn, too.
But he was unshakably firm.
The landline number from just now called again.
He coldly cut it off.
Then, he called Tiana Linden’s phone.
At first, no one answered.
Not until the third call did someone pick up.
Leo Sutton’s voice, "Hello!"
Even though he would be flying out to Solara Isle tonight with Vivian Linden,
Even though his wedding with Vivian was imminent,
Hearing Leo answer Tiana’s phone still stirred up strange feelings in his chest.
A tightness.
A bitterness.
He forced down those feelings and opened his mouth, icy cold:
"Leo Sutton, tell Tiana not to use Daisy again. I will never give her the M901 anti-cancer drug."
Over there, Leo took a while to respond, "...Daisy called you and asked for the medicine?"
Aiden spat back his angry warning, "Tell Tiana, stop treating a child as a chess piece."
Bang!
Aiden, furious, hung up.
Leo let out a bitter laugh.
Tiana was about to die, and Aiden still hated her this much.
What a bastard Aiden Grant was.
Even with the medicine now, it wouldn’t help. It was too late for Tiana.
If Aiden had agreed to give the medicine days ago, maybe there would have been a chance.
Now, Leo could only look at the lifeless, deathly pale Tiana, just barely out of immediate danger, lying there like a corpse.
Tubes of all kinds were plugged into her body.
Especially that breathing tube running straight into her lungs.
It must hurt so much for Tiana.
Gabriel Chaucer saw Leo standing there, powerless.
He asked, "Was it that bastard Grant again?"
Gabriel had always been gentle, never one to curse.
For him to say "bastard", Aiden must have done something truly heartless.
"Leo, call him back. Let me speak to that bastard, I’ll curse him to death."
Leo said heavily, "Dad, the doctor says... we should prepare Tiana’s funeral, it’s only a day or two now."
One sentence, and all the anger melted from Gabriel’s eyes.
"Is there really no other way? Even if she could just wake up and say a few words to Daisy..."
Leo shook his head.
"I handled Tiana’s will myself."
"She doesn’t want anyone from the Grant or Linden families at her funeral."
"We don’t need to notify them, and we don’t have to say anything else."
"Tiana always liked quiet."
Gabriel wiped away a tear, "Poor Daisy."
Leo choked, "I’m going home to check on Daisy."
"You stay here in case something happens to Tiana. Mom can watch the house, I’ll go back. Call me if anything comes up."
"Alright."
...
Star River Bay, Serenity Villa.
After Aiden hung up on Daisy, he simply turned off his phone.
He was soaked in soup.
He went upstairs to shower, changed clothes, and then continued to have breakfast with Vivian.
He picked up the toast in his plate, tore off a piece elegantly, and put it in his mouth.
His right hand, holding a cup of milk, knocked the glass over with a clatter.
Milk splashed everywhere.
The newly changed black shirt got soaked again.
The milk cup rolled off the table, spinning across the floor.
Another crash—it shattered into shards.
Aiden was annoyed and irritable.
What was wrong with him today?
Why so uneasy?
Uncle Carter hurried to clean up the glass.
Aiden crouched down, "It’s fine, I’ll do it."
Hiss...
His slender fingers brushed a shard and were sliced open.
Blood welled up.
Vivian quickly found iodine and a Band-Aid.
"Aiden, did you not sleep well last night?"
He’d spent all night in the studio.
Hardly slept a wink.
Aiden finally found a reasonable excuse for his distracted state.
"Aiden, we have a plane to catch tonight."
"Why not nap upstairs for a bit?"
"I’m afraid you’ll be too tired."
Vivian ripped open the band-aid packet.
She was about to stick it onto Aiden’s wound.
He took it from her and did it himself.
"Wake me if I sleep too long—I still need to confirm the wedding setup at Solara Isle once more."
Vivian beamed, "Okay."
Aiden went upstairs to sleep.
Soon after, James Linden and Daniel Linden entered the Serenity Villa living room together.
Several large suitcases sat in the living room.
Daniel patted one case, "Vivian, everything ready?"
"Yeah," Vivian nodded. "Aiden’s sleeping, try not to disturb him."
James asked, "Sleeping at this hour?"
Vivian replied, "He didn’t sleep a wink last night."
Daniel coughed once.
"Vivian, you two are young, but you still need to be careful about... that."
Vivian blushed, "Brother, what do you think we were doing? Aiden was in the studio all night."
At the mention of "studio," Daniel’s face darkened.
"What’s he doing in there, drawing another portrait of Tiana?"
"No, he painted something abstract. Dad, Daniel, why are you two here?"
Daniel interrupted, "Dad and I have been uneasy since last night."
James added, "We just worry something might go wrong with Aiden, so we came to check."
Daniel said, "Vivian, I’ll wait here with you. Before the flight, I have to keep an eye on Aiden—he can’t go anywhere."
Just in case something happens.
Vivian smiled broadly at her brother’s concern.
So much affection glittered in that smile.
"Brother, you’re too anxious. Aiden always keeps his word; he won’t back out."
"He even said after marriage we’d have a baby together."
"He’ll treat me well."
Everything Vivian had right now was perfect.
Her father’s love.
Her brother’s protection.
And Aiden’s promise.
She was intoxicated by it all.
Though there was one thing she was secretly afraid of and anxious about.
She wished it could all stay perfect forever.
Looking at his smiling daughter, James Linden suddenly felt a rush of emotion.
"Vivian, you’ll be a bride the day after tomorrow. Nervous?"
Vivian nodded, then shook her head, "With you, Mom, Dad, and my brother with me, I’m not nervous."
"But I’m so nervous!"
James sighed emotionally:
"I owe you so much."
"Back then, I was afraid Tiana couldn’t handle it, so I raised you outside. That was my fault."
James said earnestly, "But it doesn’t matter anymore. From now on, you’re the heiress of the Linden Family. Your wedding will be the grandest among all Veridia’s elites. I’ll hand you over to Aiden myself."
Vivian was moved to tears, "Dad, being your daughter is the greatest happiness."
...
Aiden slept deeply this time.
When he woke, a light but steady rain fell outside the window.
Beside him was Vivian, lying on his arm.
He moved slightly.
She woke with a start and sat up abruptly.
"Aiden, sorry. I was just reading next to you and... somehow fell asleep."
"No problem." Aiden patted her head, "Go back to sleep if you want."
Vivian shook her head, "No, I’ll check the luggage again to be sure nothing’s missing."
As she got up, she was smiling to herself.
She’d just fallen asleep on Aiden’s arm.
And Aiden let her.
Even with their wedding only days away.
Afterward, she’d have every right to call herself Mrs. Grant.
But Vivian still hoped she and Aiden could become a real couple as soon as possible.
That he let her sleep on his arm was a good start.
In a happy mood, she went to check the suitcases.
The rain outside continued, steady and relentless.
Vivian looked at the sky, hoping there wouldn’t be a storm.
Sharon Sullivan called her.
"Vivian, something’s happened, Tiana’s about to pass away in the hospital. Aiden must not find out."
Vivian hurried back to her own room and locked the door, "That much of a coincidence?"
Sharon: "Just that coincidental. Can you board your flight early?"
Vivian: "We can’t, it’s not our private plane, and airport control is a hassle."
Sharon: "Then watch Aiden closely—don’t let anything go wrong."
Vivian: "I’ll do my best."
After hanging up, Vivian felt overwhelmed with anxiety.
The rain outside only added to her distress.
...
Hospital.
Leo had been watching over the ICU all day.
"Doctor, is there any chance Tiana will wake up?"
"At least let the child see her one last time."
Doctor: "Hard to say, but the chances are slim."
Leaving the doctor’s office, Leo called home at The Sovereign.
In the living room, Laura had taken out all her toys.
"Grandma, if I give all these to Daisy, will she feel better?"
Catherine Armstrong stroked her head, "That’s thoughtful, Laura. But right now, Daisy doesn’t want to play with toys."
Laura said oh, then asked, "Can I keep her company?"
Catherine replied, "Let Daisy sleep for a while."
The poor child hadn’t slept at all since last night.
No one knew how much she’d cried.
Leo’s call came and Gabriel Chaucer answered.
After he hung up, Gabriel walked over to Catherine and Laura.
"Leo said bring the kids to the hospital, so they can see Tiana for the last time."
Catherine’s eyes lit up, "Tiana woke up?"
Gabriel shook his head.
In suffocating silence, Catherine forced herself up from the sofa.
"I’ll go check on Daisy."
A few minutes later, Catherine came stumbling down the stairs in a panic. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
As she ran, she shouted, "Gabriel, something’s wrong, Daisy is gone!"
The rain outside kept falling steadily.
Daisy and her little leather shoes, along with her small umbrella, had all disappeared.
When did the child disappear?
The two of them quickly called Leo.
"Dad, Mom, don’t panic."
"Check the security cameras, I’m heading back now."
The camera showed Daisy climbing out the upstairs window via the drainpipe.
She slipped down onto the air conditioner bracket, then fell to the first floor.
Luckily, there was grass below her window.
After falling, little Daisy picked herself up and quietly climbed over the garden wall.
...
Five o’clock in the afternoon.
The sky was full of dark clouds.
The rain kept falling.
Not heavy, not light.
But enough to soak the entire earth.
And to soak Daisy’s entire body.
The tiny little floral umbrella couldn’t block the wind or rain at all.
A gust of wind came, flipping the umbrella inside out.
The small hands couldn’t hold on.
Daisy could only watch helplessly as the umbrella blew into the middle of the road.
That was the umbrella Mommy left for her.
But she had to keep going.
She couldn’t stop.
Finally, at six in the evening, she arrived at Star River Bay by memory.
Serenity Villa.
Uncle Carter and the maids carried Vivian and Aiden’s luggage one by one to the car under large black umbrellas.
Vivian and Aiden boarded the car.
The car was headed for the airport.
The driver closed the door, got into the front, and started the engine.
The black Hongqi sedan slowly pulled out from Serenity Villa’s gate.
The car rolled slowly down the lane inside the neighborhood.
A tiny figure suddenly entered Aiden’s field of vision.
It was Daisy.
Aiden saw her.
Vivian saw her, too.
The little figure was quickly left behind by the speeding car.
Aiden ordered, "Stop the car."
Vivian’s heart raced, "Aiden, was that Daisy?"
No one answered her.
Aiden had already pushed open the door.
Rain was falling outside.
Not heavy, not light.
But enough to soak Aiden’s suit in no time.
"Aiden, take the umbrella."
Vivian hurriedly got Carter to hand her an umbrella, then stepped out into the running water to chase after him.
She tried to hand the umbrella to Aiden.
Aiden snatched it and held it entirely over Daisy’s head.
Leaving Vivian exposed to the rain, quickly soaked.
Daisy’s face was dripping wet.
It was impossible to tell if it was rain or tears.
"Daddy, Mommy is really about to die."
"Can you please save her?"
"You have the medicine, please save her?"
"Daisy can’t live without Mommy."
Aiden took off his suit jacket.
The jacket nearly covered Daisy’s tiny frame completely.
Beneath it, Daisy’s trembling sobs: "Daddy, please save Mommy."
Aiden’s heart was pulled hard.
Not because Tiana was dying, but because such a mature Daisy made his heart ache.
"Did Mommy tell you again that she’s sick and about to die?"
Daisy shook her head, "Daddy, Mommy’s not lying, please believe me, she’s really going to die, I’m not lying."
"Daisy." Aiden wiped her tears. "Grown-ups shouldn’t lie. You can’t follow your mommy’s example and lie, that’s not good."
In the drizzling rain, Daisy’s voice pleaded on and on:
"Daddy, I’m not lying."
"Mommy is really dying."
"Just one box of medicine, please?"
Aiden’s face hardened, "If you keep this up, Uncle won’t like you anymore."
For Hector Chaucer, Tiana used everyone.
She didn’t even spare little Daisy.
Utterly hopeless.
Beside them, Vivian stood in the rain, watching Aiden crouched before Daisy.
"Aiden, we’re going to miss our flight."
At this, Aiden rose, holding the umbrella.
Daisy’s small hand clung to his big one. "Daddy..."
The word ’Daddy’ landed like a stone in Aiden’s chest.
Back then, he’d wished so badly that Daisy was his biological daughter.
But Tiana had told him herself that she was Hector’s child.
Tiana was making a child beg him for medicine for Hector’s sake.
No matter how Daisy’s broken voice tore his heart, his face remained steely. Ruthless:
"Daisy, Uncle doesn’t like little girls who lie and act."
"Next time we meet, I hope you’ll be a good girl."
With that, he walked over to Vivian, giving instructions to Carter, "Take this child back to The Sovereign."
Tiny, shivering Daisy sobbed in the rain.
Carter hurried over with an umbrella. "Daisy, I’ll take you home."
From under the umbrella, Aiden called to Daisy again. "When you go back, tell your mommy not to ever look for me again."
He took Vivian’s arm and got into the car.
Daisy chased after them through the rain.
The headlights lit up the dusk and the rain.
The car sped away, leaving tiny Daisy far behind.
No matter how Daisy cried and chased, Aiden never stopped.
He called Carter, "Take the child home safely."
The black Hongqi sedan sped away through the rain.
Half an hour later, they arrived safely at the airport.
After Aiden passed security, Leo’s call came.
"Did you see Daisy?"
Leo’s voice was full of anxiety on the phone.
Aiden casually sipped his coffee, "Leo Sutton, is this how you watch over Daisy?"
"So you’ve seen her? Did she ask you for medicine?"
"Relax. I’ve had the driver take her home."
He hung up the phone.
Several minutes later, Leo saw Carter bring home a thoroughly bedraggled Daisy.
She was soaked through.
Her hair was dripping.
That tiny little body looked ready to fall apart.
"Daddy Leo, he wouldn’t give me the medicine."
"I’m sorry, I didn’t get the medicine, I can’t save Mommy."
Daisy, hurt and wronged, flung herself into Leo’s arms.
Her small frame shook with sobs.
Leo choked while comforting her, "Daisy, it’s not your fault. Even with the medicine, it’s too late."
"Why?" Daisy’s voice was hoarse.
Leo couldn’t say, "...because it’s too late. Let’s go see Mommy one last time."
Daisy bit her lip.
Tears threatened to drown her little body, "Then can Mommy still hug me one more time?"
