Chapter 1310
At two o'clock sharp, the distraught Pearsons arrived at the manor entrance. Samuel's appearance remained presentable, but Gina and Aubree looked as though they had endured a profound loss. Their hair was disheveled from their panicked journey.
"Go in and apologize!" Samuel glared at his daughter, and Aubree nodded instantly. They had no other choice.
The three entered the mansion, hearts pounding. Aubree immediately saw Roxanne sitting with Lucian, their three children nestled between them. A malevolent gleam flickered in Aubree's eyes. Even at her closest to Lucian, she'd never shared a seat; he always occupied a single chair. Now, they resembled a family. Rage welled within her. Then, she saw Cory, and weakness washed over her; she nearly collapsed. Before entering, she'd hoped Lucian had discovered something else. Cory's presence extinguished that hope.
"Lucian, what's with the—" Samuel started to feign ignorance but stopped upon seeing Sonya. Gina paled, appearing ready to faint.
"Ms. Pearson, I'm sure you recognize the man behind me," Lucian's frigid voice cut through the air.
At his command, Cory stepped forward, confronting Aubree. The Pearsons blanched, realizing Lucian's altered address: "Ms. Pearson"—a clear indication of severed ties.
"Speak! I don't remember you being deaf!" Lucian, restraining his anger for the children's sake, still radiated a chilling intensity. Even the children moved closer to Roxanne, sensing his displeasure. Roxanne reassured them before turning her steely gaze to Aubree.
"Ever since I returned, this woman has repeatedly tried to harm me. I tolerate her attacks on the institute or myself, but she crossed a line by hurting my children—more than once!" Roxanne's desire for retribution was palpable.
Aubree trembled under Lucian's gaze. After a long pause, she finally managed, "I... I do."
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Is that all?" A shiver ran down her spine. She might have confessed to Sonya, but not to Lucian, who would show no mercy.
Desperation drove Aubree to lunge at Lucian. "Lucian, listen! Everything I did was for you. I love you! You can't treat me this way!"
Before she reached him, Cayden grabbed and shoved her back towards Gina. His restraint had finally broken. The pain and despair brought Aubree to tears.