Lucian found it downright ironic that Sonya and Aubree both trusted yet doubted each other. Since she wants a reason, I don’t mind giving her one.
“Aubree isn’t suitable to be Essie’s mother. I’ve already given her six years and allowed her to take care of Essie recently. However, Essie is still unwilling to accept her. In fact, Essie’s condition is showing signs of recurrence under her care. I won’t risk Essie’s well-being.”
Frowning deeply, Sonya dipped her head and directed her gaze at Aubree. Indeed, she knew nothing about Estella’s condition. Before that day, she thought that Aubree and Essie were already getting along smashingly well.
She had never expected the reality to be such. Even then, she would never accept Roxanne, who had abandoned Estella back then. “Aubree merely needs some time. Give her. more time. She’ll be able to resolve it!” Sonya insisted stubbornly.
The impatience on Lucian’s face grew event more blatant. “If I were to allow her to continue interacting with Essie, Essie’s condition would only worsen.”
At that statement, a conflicted look entered Sonya’s eyes, and her voice was no longer as firm as before. “How would you know without trying? Is she not better than Roxanne, who abandoned Essie?”
Verily, Lucian wasn’t in the mood to argue with her further. “Indeed, she’s not.”
After saying that, he spun on his heel to leave. Before doing so, he stated, “I’ve already made up my mind regarding the engagement. No matter what you say, it’ll never change my decision. Next time, please disclose your reason for calling me over when you phone me. If it’s about this, don’t bother anymore.”
Never having expected him to leave like that, Sonya was enraged and tried stopping him. “Stop right there!” Alas, Lucian’s footsteps didn’t falter in the slightest.
When Aubree saw that, her heart instantly lodged in her throat. She knew that if she were to really allow the man to leave then, there would be no more salvaging their engagement.
Casting all caution to the wind, she shot to her feet and sprinted toward Lucian’s back. Then, she hugged him from behind. “You can’t do this to me, Lucian! I’ve waited for you for six years! How much longer is left of my youth?”
Lucian lowered his eyes and glanced at her hands around his waist, repulsion brimming in his eyes. “I never asked you to wait. It was all wishful thinking on your part.”
In the past six years, I told her countless times that I’d like to break off the engagement, but she brushed me off with various excuses. Now that we’ve put up the act for so long, I no longer want to play along with her.
While he spoke, he mercilessly pried her fingers off him, one by one. He subsequently warned, “I’m furious because you sought Roxanne out and kicked up a fuss. If you don’t want to bear my wrath, it’s best that you don’t continue hounding her.”
Aubree exerted all the strength within her to resist him, but ultimately, she wasn’t his match. Pain shot through her fingers, and she was even callously shoved back.
At the sudden push, she lost her balance and stumbled a few steps before she fell onto the ground in a disheveled mess. However, Lucian strode out without even sparing her a single glance.
“Lucian!” Aubree stared at his retreating back through red-rimmed eyes. Turning a deaf ear to her, Lucian climbed into the car without a backward glance. Aubree started wailing at the top of her lungs.
It was the first time Sonya had ever seen her in such a hysterical state. For a moment, she felt as though she was staring at a veritable stranger.
She hesitated for a long while before hesitantly dragging her feet over and helping Aubree up.
