Susanna quickly hid the pregnancy test and snapped, "It was just a test for cramps. If I were actually pregnant, do you think I'd be talking about getting a divorce?"
Erica eyed Susanna suspiciously, not letting up. "Who knows what a money-grubber like you would do! What if you stole something important? You could ruin Aaron! Hand it over!"
As Erica reached out to grab it, Susanna turned and hurried into the walk-in closet, clutching the test tightly. "This is my private business. You have no right to see it."
"Private business? Who do you think you are? Give it to me!" Erica lunged forward, trying to pry Susanna's hand open, even raising her hand to slap her. Susanna instinctively dodged, causing Erica to lose her balance and fall awkwardly to the floor, crying out in pain, "My leg, it hurts so much!"
Susanna reached out to help her, but a stern voice interrupted, "Susanna, what are you doing?"
Aaron had arrived, his face darkening as he saw Erica on the floor. He yanked Susanna away.
The force of Aaron's grip sent Susanna's shoulder crashing into the wardrobe, but she stood there, stunned, feeling her heart ache more than her body.
Aaron bent down to pick up Erica, ready to leave, when he noticed the scattered divorce papers on the floor. Susanna's signature was glaringly obvious on the last page. Aaron's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. She had signed so readily? For some reason, a wave of anger washed over him.
"Aaron?" Erica's voice was soft and pitiful.
Aaron snapped back to reality, asking Erica gently, "Are you okay?"
Tears welled up in Erica's eyes as she whimpered, "Aaron, my leg hurts so much. Will I be able to walk?"
Aaron massaged her calf, trying to ease the bruising. "You'll be fine. I'll have the doctor take a look."
He called the family doctor, then turned to Susanna with a cold glare. "Apologize to Erica."
Hearing Erica's name made Susanna's heart clench. That night, Aaron had whispered the same name, holding her tightly, moving between force and tenderness, his voice making her shiver.
Now she realized, the name on his lips and in his heart was "Erica," not "Susanna." She had always been just a stand-in for Erica.
Her heart grew numb, and she spoke hoarsely, "I didn't hit her. She tried to hit me and fell herself..."
"That's not true!" Calliope interjected from the doorway. "Mr. Abbott, I saw Mrs. Abbott push Ms. Jones with my own eyes."
Aaron's brow furrowed, his gaze growing colder. "Susanna, remember what happened to your uncle."
Her uncle, Vincent Everhart had been arrested for assault, and while fleeing, he got into a car accident and was now in a coma in the hospital.
Fighting back tears, Susanna glared at Aaron, the man she once loved, with defiance. "Aaron, I never thought you were this kind of person."
She turned to look at Erica lying on the marital bed, feeling even the wedding photo above the headboard mocking her.
In the end, Susanna gave in to reality, her voice hoarse. "I'm sorry."
She turned to leave, not wanting to stay a second longer.
Erica suddenly spoke up, "Leaving so soon? I haven't forgiven you yet."
Susanna stopped, uttering indifferently, "What do you want?"
Erica glanced out the window, feigning sincerity. "Kneel in the yard for an hour, and I'll generously forgive you. I'll even give you $100,000 to help the Everhart family. How about that?"
Susanna couldn't believe it. "Erica, don't push it!"
Aaron frowned, silent for a moment before speaking, "Susanna, you don't want to know what happens when you anger the Jones family, do you?"
It was both a reminder and a warning. Erica was the heir to the Jones family. If her three brothers found out Susanna had hurt Erica, Susanna's life would become very difficult.
Susanna stared at Aaron, shocked he would say such a thing, trampling on his wife's dignity for the woman he loved. At that moment, she hated herself for loving Aaron so recklessly. But what could she do? Abandoned by both her biological and adoptive parents, she found refuge with her aunt Madison Everhart's family. Madison treated her well, and she felt obligated to repay that kindness.
Finally, Susanna lowered her head, her voice raspy. "Fine, I'll do it."
A light rain began to fall, making the stone courtyard slippery. As Susanna stepped out, half her shoulder was soaked.
'Aaron, I'll bear the shame. From now on, let's cut all ties and never see each other again,' Susanna whispered silently. She walked forward, resolute. The cold rain chilled her to the bone.
Suddenly, she slipped, falling forward. Instinctively, she reached for the nearby flower bed but grabbed a strong hand instead.
In that moment of danger, Aaron caught her, pulling her back with force. Her head hit his chest, her cheek pressed against his heart, hearing its steady beat.
Susanna quickly stepped back, trying to distance herself. But Aaron scooped her up, carrying her down the steps, her face pressed against his chest, surrounded by his mature scent.
His cold voice came from above. "Watch your step. Don't fall again."
Susanna bit her lip, her emotions calming, a hint of self-mockery in her eyes. "I'll kneel now."
Aaron's frown deepened, unable to bear seeing Susanna so submissive and dejected as she had been for the past three years. "You don't have to. In the Abbott family, there's no need for such humiliation." He patted Erica's hand reassuringly. "Erica, the doctor is here. Let's get your leg treated."
Susanna felt a hollow emptiness as she watched Aaron carry Erica away. She found it increasingly hard to understand him. Did his refusal to let her kneel mean he still had some compassion for her?