Pursing her lips, Estella avoided his gesture.
Helplessness flashed across Lucian’s eyes.
“There are no guarantees when it comes to relationships. I need to think through this.”
Well, just think about that woman’s attitude toward me.
Without giving the child the opportunity to speak, Lucian leaned over, tucked her in, and turned to leave.
That very night, Gina and her husband brought Aubree back to the Pearson residence. “You got hurt. Just stay at home for the time being,” Gina said to her daughter as she sat on the edge of the bed. There was a strange expression on her face.
Aubree glanced at Gina as fury rose in her heart. “My plan backfired, so you don’t want me to head out and get mocked by others, do you?”
All these years, her parents had been regarding her as an item. They wanted nothing more than to marry her to Lucian. Despite sharing their sentiments, Aubree was disappointed to be raised by such parents.
Besides, they didn’t offer her any help at all. Gina stiffened for a few moments before regaining her composure. “How could you say that? I’m worried about you. Look, your leg is hurt. There’s no way you can go out like this.”
Aubree gritted her teeth and balled her fists. She refused to admit defeat. Why did Lucian spend the entire night with Roxanne despite her minor cold but refuse to spend time with me when I am injured?
The more Aubree thought about it, the more furious she got. Gina was about to say something when Aubree announced angrily, “No. This has to get out!”
Gina looked at Aubree in confusion. “Why?”
Aubree had fallen down when she went to visit Lucian and had been turned away at the door. Besides, the two had been engaged for six years and had yet to set a wedding date. If the public were aware of these facts, they would likely draw their own conclusions and mock the Pearsons for trying to benefit from their association with the Farwells but failing to do so. Gina wanted to avoid this embarrassment for Aubree and the Pearson family.
Remembering the rumors circulating online, she felt a twinge in her heart. However, Aubree appeared both determined and mad. “If I don’t tell Sonya about this, she’ll never know I was hurt!”
She finally realized that Lucian would never fall in love with her. Her only hope was to gain Sonya’s sympathy and marry into the Farwell family with her blessings.
The only way to do that was to spread the news about her injury so that Sonya would know how Lucian treated her. It was only then that Gina realized what Aubree was getting at. However, she still had her doubts.
She knew they would have to come up with a new explanation before spreading the news. Even so, after word got out, there would be a risk that someone might uncover the truth. She was worried that their secret might be discovered.
“Lucian isn’t speaking with that b*tch right now. If I miss the opportunity…” Aubree’s expression turned icy.
“Okay. I promise Mrs. Farwell will be informed about your injury by tomorrow morning,” Gina said.
Aubree gave a satisfied nod in response.
Gina showered her care and concern on Aubree briefly before leaving her room.
Aubree was the only one left in the room.
The moment the door closed, a deranged expression took over Aubree’s face.
Her injured ankle was in a cast, but it still caused her pain.
The pain was a reminder of how Lucian had treated her in the past few days.
She had loved him for years, yet that was what she got in the end.
She refused to accept her fate. She had wasted her youth on him and didn’t want to let it go to waste.
Even though Lucian would never love her, she still wanted to be his wife and the lady of the Farwell family.
The next morning, words about Aubree’s injury became public knowledge. Sonya contacted Aubree to show her concern. “Aubree, I heard you were injured. Is that true?”
Aubree sat on the edge of her bed and stared at her wounded ankle. Her expression was cold, but she replied nicely, “I accidentally fell down, but I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me, Mrs. Farwell.”
Sonya furrowed her brows. “How did you fall? Didn’t you visit Lucian yesterday? Does he know that you’re hurt?”
Aubree sounded conflicted as she responded, “Mrs. Farwell, you should stay out of this.” “He knows about it, doesn’t he?” Sonya immediately guessed.
Every time Lucian mentioned his relationship with Aubree, he would tell me to stay out of it. Even Aubree is saying the same thing now!
At that thought, Sonya grew breathless with anger. “Tell me how you got hurt.” A smug look flashed across Aubree’s eyes as Sonya was close to the truth.
She pretended to be hesitant for a few seconds as if struggling with what to say. “Yesterday, I fell down the stairs as I was leaving Lucian’s place and injured my ankle bone.”
Then, as if she was concerned that Sonya might hold Lucian responsible for her injury, she quickly added, “Fortunately, Lucian had Dr. Elswick treat my injury in time.”
Gina happened to enter her room at that exact moment, so Aubree quickly signaled to her. Gina got her hint and immediately chimed in, “Samuel and I freaked out when we received Lucian’s call last night.”
Sonya sensed something amiss and her frown deepened. “Lucian called you? Where is Aubree now?”
She had assumed that Lucian would let Aubree stay at the manor and look after her since she got injured at his place. After all, it was the right thing to do.
However, she started doubting herself after hearing Gina’s words.
Before Gina could respond, Aubree interjected, “Mrs. Farwell, I’m at home now. I think it would be better for me to recuperate here under my parents’ care.”
She was indicating that she chose not to recuperate at the Farwell residence.
Gina quickly threw her a look.
However, Aubree wasn’t about to change her mind. She seemed confident as she waited for Sonya’s answer.
As she anticipated, Sonya’s angry voice rang out. “You don’t have to take his side. Lucian must have treated you poorly! I can’t believe he made you leave when you were injured. Don’t worry. I’ll give him a piece of my mind on your behalf!”
Gina belatedly realized that it was merely a strategic but efficient retreat on Aubree’s part.
Aubree flashed a pleased smirk and deliberately replied, “Mrs. Farwell, you’ve gotten it wrong. It was my decision to—”
“Stop trying to defend him. I know you’re a good person. Don’t worry. As long as I am here, I will never let you suffer.” With that, Sonya hung up right away.
After the call ended, Aubree let out a snicker and tossed her phone aside, then turned to stare at her ankle which was in a cast.
She thought it was worth getting injured because Sonya was going to defend her.
Gina, who was standing at the side, relaxed immediately as their plan had succeeded.
Suddenly recalling why she had come upstairs, she said, “Aubree, Frieda is here to visit you.”
Aubree gathered her thoughts and nodded. “Tell her to come upstairs.” “Okay.” Gina went downstairs to tell Frieda to head to Aubree’s room.
Frieda had learned about Aubree’s injury early this morning. She quickly made her way to the Pearson residence, as there was still something weighing on her mind.
Upon receiving Gina’s approval, she hastily ran upstairs. “Slow down. Why are you in a hurry? My injury isn’t that serious.” Aubree feigned concern, as she could hear Frieda running along the corridor outside her room.
The footsteps in the hallway suddenly came to a halt. Frieda stood outside the bedroom door. She looked down at her phone, then at the door, and hesitated for what felt like an eternity.
When Aubree came to the door hopping on one foot, she finally snapped out of her reverie. “Why are you standing outside?” Aubree sounded displeased.
Had the earlier phone call with Sonya not been successful, Aubree would not have taken the time to open the door. Frieda forced a smile, padded into the bedroom behind Aubree, and closed the door carefully.
After confirming the door was shut, Frieda hurried into the bedroom and sat down beside Aubree’s bed. Aubree arched a brow and glanced at Frieda. “So? Why are you here?” she asked as she scrolled through her phone.
Frieda parted her lips to speak but changed her mind and kept her thoughts unspoken. She hesitated for some time and eventually looked down at Aubree’s wounded ankle. “Aubree, is your injury serious?”
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.