Abel's parents would often boast to everyone that he was now a successful CEO, attracting countless relatives from the Brooks family seeking his help.
Some even went as far as asking Abel to arrange marriages for their children, insisting he match them with prominent figures in Jonesburg.
Despite their demands, I wasn't bothered. I thought that since my family had wealth, helping them a little wouldn't hurt.
What Abel didn't know was that Andre came to see me on the night before my engagement. He brought me a share transfer agreement.
Andre said he hoped I would sign it so that I would have the financial security to walk away from Abel if my marriage ever turned unhappy.
Clenching his fists tightly, he looked at me seriously and said, "It's not just the Larkins backing you—you also have me. If he ever hurts you, I won't let him get away with it!"
I laughed and told him he was overthinking. I trusted my judgment ever since I was a child, and I firmly believed Abel would never betray me.
Looking back now, everyone's warnings were true, but I ignored them all since I was too blinded by love.
After marriage, Abel would always find faults with me, even though I tried my best to please him. He'd criticized my lack of housekeeping skills, claimed I had a temper, and compared me unfavorably to his friends' wives, saying they were more virtuous.
At the time, I was devoted to Abel and even changed my habits for him.
He liked to see me at home when he returned, so I made an effort to always be there. I even experimented with different recipes to make him delicious meals.
My best friend, Rachel Jackman, remarked that marriage had turned me into someone unrecognizable. The once lively socialite who loved shopping and photography was now changing herself for a man.
Abel's parents, on the other hand, were very pleased with me. During every family gathering, his relatives would praise me for being beautiful and kind-hearted.
It seemed the only person in the entire family who could find fault with me was Abel himself.
For years, I thought I wasn't doing enough. But now, I realized Abel never saw me as anything more than a stepping stone. How could he ever see my worth if he had never truly loved me?
And so, that was how these people settled Cora into my home without even consulting me.
Cora personally knocked on my door to invite me to dinner that evening. After I declined three times, she started crying outside my door in a soft, pitiful voice.
Her cries grew louder, eventually drawing Abel's attention. She took the opportunity to say, "Aspen seems to have a big problem with me. I called her to dinner, and she scolded me instead."
Annoyed, I opened the door and stared at Cora, who was sobbing with a delicate, pitiful expression.
Abel rushed over, his face full of concern as he grabbed her arm to comfort her. "Stop crying. Let me handle this."
Cora then pulled a hairpin from her pocket and held it out to me. "Aspen, I made this myself. Please accept it. Let's get along from now on, okay?"
Before she could finish, I interrupted, "Stop dreaming. Who are you putting on this act for?"
Cora buried herself in Abel's arms upon hearing that, seemingly heartbroken.
Abel stormed over in fury and slapped me across the face. "Aspen, I warned you! Cora is pregnant and needs to remain calm. You vile woman! Are you trying to harm her and the baby?"
His expression was one of pure contempt, as if I were some unforgivable criminal. Nonetheless, I knew that that slap had shattered any remaining trace of connection between us.
I furiously glared at the pair of despicable people before me. Then, I stepped forward and delivered two sharp slaps to Abel's face without hesitation.
