Chapter 1021: Pain

That night, Gina and her husband brought Aubree home. "You're hurt. Stay home for now," Gina said, sitting on the bed beside her daughter. A strange expression clouded her face.

Aubree glared at her mother, fury simmering. "My plan failed, so you don't want me to go out and be mocked, do you?"

For years, her parents had treated her as a commodity, solely focused on marrying her to Lucian. While Aubree shared their ambition, she resented their methods and lack of support.

Gina stiffened, then composed herself. "How can you say that? I'm worried about you. Your leg is hurt; you can't go out."

Aubree gritted her teeth. She refused to yield. Why had Lucian spent the night with Roxanne, despite a minor cold, yet refused to comfort her when she was injured?

Her anger escalated. "No," Aubree declared, "this has to get out!"

Gina looked confused. "Why?"

Aubree explained her fall at Lucian's door and their six-year engagement without a wedding date. Public knowledge of these facts would invite ridicule, shaming the Pearsons for their failed attempt to leverage their connection to the Farwells. Gina wanted to prevent this humiliation.

Remembering online rumors, she felt a pang of worry. But Aubree was resolute, almost frantic. "If I don't tell Sonya, she'll never know I was hurt!"

Aubree finally admitted her realization: Lucian would never love her. Her only hope lay in gaining Sonya's sympathy and securing marriage with her blessing. This required publicizing her injury to reveal Lucian's treatment of her. Gina understood, yet remained hesitant.

They needed a new explanation, and even then, the risk of exposure remained. The secret might be discovered.

"Lucian isn't speaking to that woman right now," Aubree said, her expression hardening. "If I miss this opportunity..."

"Okay," Gina conceded. "I'll tell Mrs. Farwell about your injury tomorrow morning."

Aubree nodded, satisfied.

Gina offered brief comfort before leaving. Aubree was alone.

The door closed, and a twisted expression replaced her earlier resolve. Her casted ankle throbbed, a constant reminder of Lucian's recent behavior.

Years of love had yielded this. She refused to accept defeat. She wouldn't let her wasted youth go to waste. Even if Lucian would never love her, she would be his wife, the lady of the Farwell family.