Chapter 61 I Think I Was Wrong

Aiden was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, thoughtful, while Emily played with her fingertips over the boy's defined chest, while she was lying on his shoulder.

"Princess?" He called her suddenly.

"Mmm?" Emily replied, looking up at Aiden curiously.

“What are your parents like? Aiden asked, hesitating whether he should ask that question, since he couldn't mention what Isabella had discovered about Maximo and Maximilian's trap.

"What?" Emily frowned, surprised by the question.

"I was just wondering if your father is a strict and very correct man, isn't he?" Aiden said, testing the waters.

"Yes, that's right," Emily confirmed, still a little confused.

"And your mother?" I only saw her in Isa's engagement to your brother and in marriage. I think I heard he lives in the country..." Aiden continued, in a serious tone.

"Yes, that's true," Emily replied, intrigued by Aiden's sudden interest.

“Why do you live in the countryside? Aiden insisted.

"Why do you want to know that all of a sudden?" Emily asked, half standing up to get a better look at Aiden's expression. "Don't tell me that... do you want to talk to my parents?" He said, with a note of panic in his voice.

- No, it's not that... I'm just curious. I wonder why an important heiress like your mother would move to the countryside and move away from her family," Aiden continued.

"Well, she chose it that way," Emily replied, shrugging her shoulders as if it were not a relevant topic.

“Why? Aiden persisted, which began to seem strange to Emily.

- My mother couldn't stand life in the city. Being the head of the family involved a lot of work and pressure. I was always tired and sad. I know he was given medical treatment, but it didn't help him much. So, my father suggested that she retire for a while to rest, and I guess she liked it," Emily explained, based on what her father had told her.

"Oh, wow... And your father told you that?" Aiden asked, with a tinge of uneasiness in his voice.

"What?" Emily didn't understand the question, but Aiden didn't give her time to answer.

“I think it would have been good if the family had been more supportive. If your mother was under a lot of pressure, she could have been offered therapy instead of being kept away. I think that would have been more helpful," Aiden commented, making Emily think.

"Do you think that...?" Aiden left the question in the air, waiting for an answer from Emily.

"What?" Emily asked, seeing that Aiden seemed to be weighing something.

"Do you think that if Isabella couldn't handle the pressure of being a ringleader, as your mother did, your brother would do the same with her?" Aiden finally decided to ask, feeling a knot in his stomach.

"What?" Emily frowned, visibly confused.

"Do you think your brother would send Isabella to a field, as your mother did?" Aiden repeated, more confidently this time.

Emily shrugged, looking out at a window, thoughtful. “I think so, it would be the most logical thing to do, wouldn't it?

"What?" This time it was Aiden who looked at her with bewilderment.

- I mean, she is your cousin, and I know you love and appreciate her, but... It wouldn't seem strange to me if Isabella couldn't handle the position... She's not ready for that social position and if she has it now, it's only because my brother is taking care of everything..." Emily explained firmly, while Aiden watched her seriously. “And if Isabella can't handle the pressure in the end, the best thing would be for her to live a quiet life, in the countryside or abroad... Anyway, it's better than living on the street, isn't it? Emily concluded indifferently.

"What are you saying?" Is that your family's solution, get rid of those who no longer serve them? Aiden sat up on the bed, frowning.

Emily smiled nervously, noticing Aiden's attitude. She sat down next to him on the bed, not quite understanding the annoyance he was showing. - You misunderstand me, it's not falling apart, darling... It's giving them a quieter life... Look at my mother, she now lives a happy and peaceful life.

"Are you sure of that?" I mean, have you taken the trouble to visit your mother, to see how she feels, or to even ask her if she's really happy? Aiden asked seriously, making Emily startle.

Emily stammered, confused by Aiden's growing frustration. "Why are you so upset?"

"Isn't it that bad? Let me ask you something: wouldn't you mind being exiled?" Aiden got out of bed suddenly. “What would they send you to a camp, away from everything you like and your relatives?

“Exiled? What are you talking about, Aiden? Emily stammered, clearly bewildered. - My mother left because she wanted to, she comes to see us sometimes. She's not exiled or anything like that..." Emily began to chafe with Aiden's attitude.

"Oh, yes, right, because she prefers to be alone, what social pressure..." Aiden replied sarcastically.

- What?! Well, if you want me to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if in the future, my brother sends Isabella there..." Emily burst out angrily.

- What?! Aiden clenched his jaw and fists, his frustration evident, as Emily continued.

- That girl doesn't know anything, she's clumsy and inexperienced. Now she lives peacefully thanks to my brother's hard work, but at some point, the position and public life will devour her, and she will not be able to tolerate it... Did you see the scandal that formed a few days ago? The press broke it down, and why was it saved? For my brother! And I bet whatever your cousin did was cry in a corner because of her bad luck. Emily spoke with heavy breathing, her anger on the surface.

“Do you realize everything you are saying and supporting? Aiden asked, with a disappointed expression.

"I think I was wrong..." Aiden put on his jacket and began to get dressed, while Emily watched him from the bed, bewildered.

"What?" She muttered, still not understanding.

"I thought you had changed, but now I see that you are still the same selfish, egomaniacal, spoiled, proud and arrogant girl as always..." Aiden declared, turning to leave the room.

- What?! Emily was puzzled, looking around with a racing pulse. "Aiden?" Aiden? Aiden?! "She called several times, but he had already left.