“Aubree, tell me,” Sonya instructed, knowing that it would be impossible to get it out of her son.
As panic flashed across her face, Aubree glanced at Lucian before frowning in resignation.
She, after a brief hesitation, hung her head and explained, “Just now, we ran into Ms. Jarvis when she brought the two boys to the hospital. When I noticed that her son wasn’t well, it reminded me of Essie, and that caused me to worry. Hence, I decided to get Lucian to check on them.”
As if she was worried that Sonya wasn’t going to believe her, Aubree added, “It was my idea. Lucian had no intention of going over.”
No sooner had she finished than she threw Lucian a knowing look, hinting to him to go along with the excuse she had made on his behalf.
Sonya, who obviously didn’t buy it, glowered at her son. “Is what Aubree said true? Or did you go to check on someone else’s son while she’s injured?”
Lucian remained silent, with his brows wrinkled tensely together.
Sonya, who knew her son like the back of her palm, was aware that he was implicitly admitting to seeing Roxanne’s son and denying Aubree’s claim that it was her idea for him to go.
It doesn’t take a genius to know that he had gone over on his own accord.
The thought that her son abandoned Aubree, who was injured in the course of saving her, outraged Sonya.
“Even now, Aubree is still trying to cover for you. But what about you? Have you ever considered her feelings before? How can you allow an injured girl like her to wander the hospital alone? What if someone knocks into her and worsens her injury?”
Reacting to Sonya’s anger, Aubree quickly held the former’s hand and assuaged her, “Mrs. Farwell, I’m fine, as my injury is almost healed. As for Ms. Jarvis, being a single mother isn’t an easy task. Even though she has made many mistakes, her children are innocent. Therefore, I was just as worried as Lucian was about her child.”
With Aubree’s considerate response, Sonya’s heart warmed for the former. In fact, she wondered if Roxanne had put a curse on her son for him to be so blinded as not to see how virtuous Aubree was.
“Lucian, don’t you still have some unfinished work to attend to? You should get back to it while I chat with Mrs. Farwell,” Aubree suggested to Lucian in an understanding tone.
Frowning at the both of them, Lucian had no intention of listening to his mother’s lecture any further. Thus, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
When she saw how abruptly her son left the room, the guilt Sonya felt toward Aubree intensified. “Aubree, I’m sorry that you have to suffer through this. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Aubree smiled flatly. “It’s nothing. I’m already satisfied with the way he’s treating me now.”
Feeling indignant on Aubree’s behalf, Sonya reassured the former that she would never let Roxanne be married into their family.
However, in the midst of their conversation, she noticed Aubree’s face gradually losing color.
“Aubree, what’s wrong? Did someone knock into your arm just now?” Sonya knitted her brows with a worried look on her face.
Aubree, despite the pulsating pain in her arm, forced out a smile. “No, it’s my fault for not being careful.”
Aubree indirectly admitted that there was something wrong with her arm.
Sonya stared at Aubree, her eyes filled with suspicion. “What in the world happened? Did you really hurt yourself?”
She couldn’t believe that Aubree was careless after staying in the hospital for such a long time without incident.
Aubree, not daring to look Sonya in the eye, nodded while biting her lip.
Sonya sprang to her feet. “Come, let’s get your hand examined.”
Just when she was about to open the door and call for Lucian, Aubree grabbed her hand to stop her. “Mrs. Farwell, it’s better to keep this from him. Given how difficult it was for our relationship to finally improve, I’m worried that pressuring him might cause the situation to backfire.”
Sonya, after pondering for a few seconds, nodded in agreement.
Subsequently, Aubree got out of bed with Sonya’s help before both of them exited the ward together.
When Lucian got to his feet to follow them, Sonya threw him a glance. “I’m taking Aubree out to get some air. You should carry on with whatever you’re doing. I’m not expecting you to care for her that meticulously.”
Lucian had no intention of arguing with his mother over something like that. After all, he saw taking care of Aubree for the past few days as nothing more than his duty. Since his mother had relieved him of the task, he nodded in delighted relief before returning to his seat.
When Sonya arrived at the orthopedic department with Aubree, they went to see the latter’s attending physician.
The result of the examination triggered a drastic change in Sonya’s expression.
“Ms. Pearson, did something knock onto your injured arm recently? Your injury seems to have worsened.” The doctor furrowed his brows at the X-ray that was taken.
Just when Aubree was about to reply, Sonya preempted her, “Doctor, do you think she could have hurt herself by accident?”
The doctor shook his head. “Based on what I can see, the injury isn’t caused by accident. I’m leaning toward the scenario where someone knocked into her instead.”
In other words, Aubree was lying earlier.
Sonya, with a sullen expression, turned toward Aubree. “Aubree, what really happened? Who was it that hurt you?”
A torn look descended upon Aubree’s face.
Sonya continued to stare at her. “There are surveillance cameras all over the hospital. If you don’t tell me, I’ll check them one by one and get to the bottom of the matter sooner or later. You have gotten yourself hurt because of me. Therefore, whoever lays a finger on you is messing with me. Go ahead and tell me the truth, for I’m not going to let this matter slide!”
Sonya’s reaction filled Aubree with satisfaction and the sense that all the pain she had suffered was well worth it.
Meeting Sonya’s gaze, Aubree admitted in a reluctant tone, “It was Ms. Jarvis who accidentally pushed me, causing me to hit the wall. Nonetheless, she was in a rush to send the children home, so I could understand her urgency. Furthermore, when I didn’t feel anything then, I didn’t think too much of it.”
She kept making excuses for Roxanne.
Meanwhile, the scowl on Sonya’s face deepened.
It’s Roxanne again! On top of seducing my son, she has even aggravated Aubree’s existing injury! And yet, Aubree continues to defend her.
After learning who the perpetrator was, Sonya understood why Aubree wanted her to keep the matter from Lucian.
Aubree clearly feels that Lucian still has feelings for Roxanne and is worried that he will blame the former instead.
The thought of Aubree’s considerations made Sonya feel even more sorry for her. “Don’t worry. I will definitely seek justice on your behalf!”
Just as she spoke, Sonya left the examination room.
Aubree hurried after her. “Mrs. Farwell, you have misunderstood. It was really an accident. She had wanted to take me for an examination but only left after I told her I was fine.”
Given Sonya’s bias toward Roxanne, she obviously wasn’t going to believe such excuses which made Aubree seem like a kind person. Turning around, she patted Aubree on her hand. “Don’t say another word. All you need to do is to rest for your arm to recover. Go back now, and I’ll come by to visit you tomorrow.”
With that, Sonya left in a huff.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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