Delayed Regrets: He Regretted Only After Her Death-Chapter 161: This Kiss Was Long Planned

Hector and James Linden simultaneously turned towards the voice, seeing Aiden with a gloomy expression.

Aiden walked towards the two of them.

His brows knitted into a tight knot, the emotion in his eyes like storm clouds pressing on the horizon.

He stood in front of Hector and James, repeating, "Uncle Linden, I don’t agree with Hector and Tiana being together. When you made this decision, did you consider my feelings?"

James, recalling what Aiden had done to his daughter before, snorted angrily through his nose.

"What right do you have to disagree?"

"As her father, I’ve indeed been a jerk, doing many things that wronged Tiana."

"But Aiden, you’re no better."

"I’ve only just realized, the one who should have believed Tiana the most from the start, was you."

"But Aiden, you never believed Tiana from beginning to end."

"I don’t need a son-in-law who wavers like that."

James spoke with immense firmness.

It seemed as if, at this moment, whether his daughter would marry Hector or Aiden, was his decision to make.

The power to choose between the two seemed to rest in his hands.

Just not long ago, James was still supporting Aiden and Tiana to reconcile.

He told Aiden that if he encountered any trouble while trying to win her back, he could come to him, and he’d gladly help, as Tiana was his biological daughter.

How much time has passed, and now he’s dismissed him?

Aiden felt stuck, his brow furrowed, "Uncle Linden, you’ve watched Tiana and me grow up together, you should understand my feelings for her the best. How can you turn your back and stand with Hector?"

James grabbed Hector’s hand, making sure Aiden saw, "Do you see? To protect my daughter, Hector was willing to risk getting hurt. This is already the second time I’ve seen him block a knife for Tiana."

They returned to the city, with Hector, despite his injuries, always taking care of Tiana and Daisy.

Even at the hospital, Hector settled Daisy and Tiana first before getting stitches himself.

James observed all this.

Previously, he misunderstood Hector.

He still held Hector’s arm, looking at Aiden, questioning, "And you? Can you protect my daughter like Hector does, every moment of every day?"

"..." For a moment, Aiden was at a loss for words.

At the time, Sharon Sullivan stood just behind Hector and Tiana.

He was two meters away from Tiana.

When Sharon lunged with a dagger, his reaction was naturally not as quick as Hector’s.

Now, everyone supports Hector and Tiana being together.

Aiden felt completely isolated.

His entire figure exuded endless loneliness.

"Uncle Linden, have you forgotten?"

"On your fiftieth birthday, I went to Klayburg with Tiana to create a set of blue and white porcelain teacups for you."

"I’ve also protected Tiana from a disaster, being bitten hard by a vicious dog, and even then I got over a dozen stitches."

"To this day, the scar is still on my thigh."

"I too am willing to risk my life to protect Tiana."

His voice, anxious to explain, revealed Aiden’s helplessness.

James sighed heavily, "Yes, Aiden, you did always protect my daughter in the past, but even you’ve said it, that’s just the past. A past that can’t be returned to. Can you erase all the harm you’ve done to my daughter?"

This question again left Aiden at a loss for words.

Even James himself was unsure if he could get his precious daughter Tiana’s forgiveness.

He patted Aiden’s shoulder, "Aiden, let go. With Hector, Tiana will certainly have a happy life. Besides, Tiana indeed should start a new life, don’t you want her to be happy?"

Aiden was left unable to answer.

Of course, he wanted Tiana to be happy.

The days she had lived through before were already hard enough.

But if her future happiness didn’t include him, he would be very pained.

Hector, listening to their conversation, sneered inwardly.

Just as James wanted to say more, Hector interrupted:

"Gentlemen, it seems none of you have the right to make any decisions on Tiana’s behalf."

With that, Hector turned and left.

...

In another ward.

Tiana watched over Daisy, who was sleeping lightly, tightly holding her hand.

Beside them lay a box of anti-allergy ointment and a bottle of calamine lotion.

They were for applying on Daisy’s swollen areas.

Because Sharon had poured gasoline on her and her daughter, even after washing, there were still some red and allergic spots left.

Tiana looked at the many swollen spots on Daisy’s small arms.

Even her little face and neck, were allergic.

She felt heartbroken.

But Daisy slept restlessly, only when Tiana held her hand wouldn’t she wake startled.

She had to let Daisy continue to hold her hand tightly.

Even though Daisy was asleep, her little hands were still holding on tightly.

If she moved quietly, Daisy would furrow her brow, mumble half awake, "Mom, don’t leave, stay with me."

"Okay, mom’s not going anywhere, mom’s right here with you." She lowered her head, gently brushing against Daisy’s cheek with heartache.

At this moment, Hector quietly pushed open the door.

He brought back some of Daisy’s test results, softly telling Tiana, "Daisy has a mild concussion, observe for twenty-four hours, if there’s no issue, she can be discharged. Don’t worry."

Tiana nodded, replying softly, "Thank you."

Hector sat beside her, speaking as low as possible, "Daniel is also out of life-threatening danger."

Upon hearing this, Tiana said nothing.

The wounds Daniel suffered were all because of her.

At the time, she and Daisy were soaked in gasoline, had Sharon ignited them, she and Daisy might have already been burnt.

If it caught fire, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

It was Daniel pressing down on the lighter, preventing Sharon from getting it, that avoided an irreversible disaster.

Her mind was completely blank at the time.

Now that Daniel was out of danger, she felt a bit relieved.

She didn’t wish for Daniel to die.

Seeing her distracted, Hector softly asked, "Do you want to see Daniel?"

"No need." Tiana also replied softly, "I’ll stay here with Daisy."

She didn’t wish for Daniel’s death, but that didn’t mean she could forgive him.

With her holding Daisy’s hand tightly, Daisy slept soundly.

She looked to Hector, glancing at his bandaged right arm, "And you, how’s your injury?"

"It’s alright, I got stitches, and had a tetanus shot." Hector understated.

Actually, when he blocked the knife for Tiana, Sharon had intended to kill, striking forcefully.

A single blow cut his skin’s surface and subcutaneous tissue, with three layers stitched inside and out, totaling over forty stitches.

Yet he remained composed, as if he hadn’t been injured.

When his determined gaze landed on Tiana, it became incredibly gentle and soft.

"I’m sorry, if I had fetched you and Daisy myself yesterday, none of this would’ve happened."

"I’m sorry you were frightened."

His warm palm landed on her nape, softly pulling her forward.

A guilty yet incredibly gentle kiss landed on her forehead.

"Were you and Daisy scared out of your wits?"

Right now, leaning against Hector Chaucer’s embrace, Tiana Linden felt warmth spreading through her heart.

All the lingering fear from the ordeal found solace in this moment.

His gentle kiss, his embrace, and his tender voice seemed to infuse a powerful force into her anxious heart.

Instantly, she felt grounded.

"Mm."

She leaned against Hector Chaucer’s shoulder, one hand still holding Daisy’s small hand, while her other arm was already wrapped around Hector’s lean and strong waist.

Through the two layers of clothing, the solid strength of the man’s waist and abdomen was palpable.

This man always possessed a strength that made her feel secure.

"Hector, we owe it all to you this time."

"How did you manage to find Daisy and me?"

Hector held her, rubbing his cheek against her hair, "Did you forget? The hairpins and clips I gave Daisy and Laura, as well as the safety charms, safety buckles, and backpack pendants, all have satellite tracking and listening capabilities."

Oh! No wonder Hector found them so quickly.

Tiana suddenly realized.

Last time when Daisy was forcibly taken away by James and Daniel Linden, Hector had specially prepared those things.

"Hector, it’s always you who thinks things through thoroughly."

The hospital room door was slightly ajar.

Aiden Grant stood at the crack, watching Tiana and Hector closely embrace inside, clearly hearing their conversation.

No wonder, after he informed Hector about Tiana’s situation, Hector was able to immediately track the mother and daughter’s satellite location.

He had to admit, this man was more considerate and meticulous than he imagined.

Just as James Linden said, letting Tiana be with Hector would allow her to start a new life.

And it would be a happy new life.

But at this moment, Aiden clenched his fists tightly.

His knuckles turned pale from the tension.

In his palm, it was as if he wanted to crush something.

In every tightened vein, it wasn’t blood that surged.

It was the unwillingness, anger, and pain within him.

Something in his eyes was collapsing.

The more it collapsed, the tighter he clenched his fists.

At this moment, Gordon Lowell stood behind him, gently calling out, "President Grant!"

Only then did Aiden withdraw his gaze from the door crack.

In Aiden’s eyes, Gordon Lowell saw a glimmer of painful yet restrained tears, prompting him to remind:

"President Grant, there’s no medicine for regret in this world."

Gordon knew that Aiden must deeply regret what he had done to Miss Linden back then.

In addition, Gordon harshly reminded again, "Also, President Grant, Miss Linden might not welcome you going in, so you should wise up and leave on your own. After all, Daisy and Miss Linden both need rest."

He was clearly Daisy’s biological father.

But at this moment, the one guarding Daisy was Hector Chaucer.

He could only secretly, like a thief, peek through a door crack, watching Daisy and Tiana from afar.

Yes, there is indeed no medicine for regret in this world.

But how he wished everything could start over.

If Vivian Linden and Sharon Sullivan ever slandered Tiana again, he would surely choose to stand firmly by Tiana’s side, believing that the child in her womb was his, and he would never send her to jail again.

But as Gordon Lowell said, there’s truly no regret medicine sold in this world.

His clenched fist never loosened, "Gordon, thank Hector for me, for taking such good care of Daisy and Tiana."

Gordon continued stabbing into Aiden’s heart, "President Grant, this is something my Family Head is obliged to do. Caring for his fiancée and daughter, isn’t that expected? There’s no need for you to express gratitude."

Hector Chaucer was always known for his sharp tongue.

Never would he have thought that even his subordinates would be so sharp-tongued.

Aiden was rendered speechless, left only to clench his fists, holding a seemingly steadfast and upright posture that seemed like it could collapse at any moment, and turned away in solitude.

Watching his retreating back, Gordon scoffed, "Serves you right!"

At this moment, Gordon peered through the crack in the door to look inside.

Miss Linden was leaning snugly in the Family Head’s embrace, the two of them immersed in tender affection.

After gently closing the door, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Seeing them so sweet, it was worth it for the Family Head to have taken that stab, needing over forty stitches.

Inside the hospital room.

Tiana inadvertently touched Hector’s injured arm.

Hector hissed, furrowing his brow slightly.

Tiana quickly lifted her head from Hector’s embrace, "Did I hurt you?"

She carefully lifted his injured right arm.

The gauze was stained with blood.

"Hector, how many stitches did you get, does it hurt?"

Hector looked at Tiana at this moment, worry filling her eyes, and slightly smiled, "Yes, I took a stab for you and got several stitches. How will you thank me?"

Tiana looked up.

Before she could respond, Hector smiled again and said, "How about this, give me a kiss."

Saying that, Hector intentionally leaned his cheek toward her.

Signaling her to kiss him there.

This man’s profile was just too good-looking.

The rugged outlines carried stories of time, his brow bones sharp as if chiseled by a knife, yet exuded steely tenderness.

His nose was like the ridge of a mountain, with clean and streamlined lines.

When he smiled, the strong jawline connected with the smooth lines of his neck, exuding a rare gentleness.

Clearly a man who had clawed through storms, accustomed to masking himself with indifference, yet could smile so warmly and vividly in front of her.

Tiana’s heart grew warmer and warmer.

She smiled and patted the back of his hand, "Still have strength to tease me; it seems you’re not that badly hurt."

"Hiss, it really hurts." Hector smiled with a frown, "Are you really not going to make it up to me?"

"I’m afraid if I kiss you, your ears will turn red again."

This man seemed so formidable.

But he’s actually a pure-hearted man, saving his first kiss till now, and even blushing after a kiss.

Hector also joked with her, "Can’t help it, even at thirty-three, I’m still preserving my first kiss for someone."

This "someone" referred to Tiana.

Tiana, of course, knew.

As they say, after hardships comes sweetness.

She had tasted all the world’s bitterness before and finally experienced a hint of sweetness.

In her past life, how many good deeds had she done to meet Hector?

The teasing in her eyes gradually faded away.

When she lifted her eyes to look at him and accidentally met his gaze, the shimmering light in his eyes made her heart flutter like a startled butterfly.

In a wordless stare, Hector’s Adam’s apple moved in a sensuous arc.

The scent of cedar mixed with his warm breath approached Tiana.

The moment their noses gently touched, his husky whisper brushed against her lips, "Is it okay?"

As soon as the words fell, without waiting for Tiana’s permission, warm lips pressed down, carrying his long-held heat and caution together.

Emotions unspoken for over two decades blended into this clear and heart-pounding kiss.