Chapter 277 Aaron's Unwavering Gaze
Susanna's eyes were full of suspicion, making Aaron irritated. He turned to her and asked, "Is that really what you think of me?"
"Isn't it?" Susanna shot back.
"When have I ever done something like that?" Aaron asked, baffled.
Susanna patted the leather seat and said, "Don't act innocent. Didn't you convince the principal to add a music course for me, delaying my graduation?" Aaron clammed up. He had done that, but admitting it was another story.
Susanna pressed, "Why aren't you saying anything? Answer me."
Aaron casually placed his hand on the seat. "I suggested it because I saw your talent for piano. Did I force you to take it?"
Susanna turned away angrily. Aaron was so sly.
The car fell silent. Aaron glanced at her, noticing the small dimples when she pressed her lips together. He stared at her profile, lost in thought.
Susanna, looking out the window, noticed Aaron's reflection. 'He's probably just looking at the view too,' she thought. She didn't think Aaron was secretly watching her. To an outsider, it might seem like he was suddenly interested in her.
They stayed silent.
The car suddenly stopped, making Susanna lurch forward. She instinctively clutched her stomach in fear.
Instead of hitting anything, she found herself in Aaron's arms. She heard his muted groan, suggesting he might be hurt.
Once the car stabilized, Susanna, still shaken, asked, "What happened?"
From the front, Tyler said, "There's an accident ahead. A car suddenly changed lanes, so we had to brake hard. Are you both okay?"
Susanna shook her head. "I'm fine."
She looked up at Aaron. If he hadn't protected her, she might have been seriously hurt, and the baby too.
Aaron's arm was like a steel wall, taking all the impact.
He looked down at her. "Are you really okay? Does your stomach hurt?"
He knew Susanna was pregnant and needed extra care.
Susanna shook her head. "I'm fine. You can let go now."
Aaron released her, but she noticed his arm seemed stiff, though he kept a straight face.
With his arm out of view, Susanna couldn't tell how bad it was, but she guessed he hurt it during the stop.
Thinking about the sudden brake, Susanna still felt scared.
Aaron saw her pale face and said, "Your family should get a reliable driver."
‘Who knows what kind of reckless driving some other drivers might do?’Aaron thought to himself.
Susanna lowered her eyes. "We have a driver, but he didn't come today."
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside her apartment complex.
The heavy rain hadn't let up, making the view blurry.
Susanna glanced outside and then said, "I'm here. Thanks for your help earlier."
Susanna was about to get out of the car when Aaron stepped out first, grabbed the umbrella Tyler handed him, and walked around to her side.
As Susanna opened the door and got out, Aaron's umbrella shielded her from the rain.
"Give me the umbrella. I can go by myself. You can head back," Susanna said.
She suddenly remembered she hadn't messaged her brother to say she arrived safely. But Aaron didn't budge. "I'll walk you to the door," he said softly.
Just then, Edward's voice called out, "Susanna!"
She turned to see Edward and Brian, who had clearly noticed Aaron with her.
The tension was immediate.
Edward approached first, glaring at Aaron. "Why are you here?"
Brian added harshly, "Aaron, I told you to stay away from Susanna. She's not someone you can mess with now. Didn't you hear me?"
Edward and Brian looked at her, demanding, "Susanna, come here."
Susanna moved from under Aaron's umbrella to Edward's side. Edward handed her a spare umbrella. "Take this. You and Brian go upstairs. I need to talk to Aaron."
Sensing the situation escalating, Susanna grabbed Edward's arm. "Edward!"
"Susanna, just listen to me!" Edward said urgently, stepping up to Aaron. "Since Mr. Abbott ignored ourbrothers' advice, let me show you the consequences!"
With that, Edward punched Aaron, knocking the umbrella from his hand!
Seeing Aaron not fight back, Susanna's heart sank as she noticed his right arm hanging limply. Realizing he was hurt from protecting her earlier, she rushed out into the rain to stop the fight.
Aaron quickly picked up the umbrella and held it over her. "What are you doing? Why rush out into the rain?"
Susanna gently squeezed Aaron's injured arm, causing him to wince. She turned to Edward, her voice firm. "Edward, his arm is hurt. Stop this."
Edward, masking his irritation, said, "Susanna, go upstairs!"
But Susanna stood her ground.
Brian intervened, "Edward, Aaron's arm is injured. It's not fair to fight him now. Let's leave it for another day. Today, let's just give Aaron a small lesson!"
Susanna pressed her lips together. "Edward, Aaron got hurt protecting me earlier."
Hearing Brian, Edward reluctantly backed off but kept his icy gaze on Aaron. "Susanna will never have anything to do with the Abbott family. Don't get any ideas."
Overwhelmed, Susanna said, "Edward, Aaron just gave me a ride home. I've always liked him, but he doesn't feel the same. There's no need to worry about any 'ideas' between us."
Aaron's eyes grew complicated. He looked at Susanna and started, "Actually, I..."
"Enough, no need to explain. Let's end it here for today," Brian quickly interrupted, knowing what Aaron was about to say.
Now that Susanna and Aaron had finally divorced, there was no way she'd get entangled with him again.
