Just as expected, Mrs. Ainsworth's expression turned solemn. "Nora, you are never to say that again."
Nora Ainsworth knew in her heart that for her mother, this was about more than just saving face.
"Leon Lynch's mother doesn't like me."
"As long as Leon Lynch treats you well, that's all that matters. You don't need to worry so much about his mother."
"But—"
"Enough." Mrs. Ainsworth was clearly unwilling to discuss the matter. "The engagement is set in stone. There's no point in talking about it anymore. Just be a good girl and wait for your turn to be the bride after your sister's wedding."
Nora Ainsworth got up and headed for the stairs. She really couldn't understand why her mother had been so absolute about this from the start, leaving no room for negotiation and not considering her perspective at all.
She thought about what had happened tonight and felt a pang of indignation.
'Why is my sister treating me like this?'
'What have I ever done to wrong her?'
'Is it just because I'm not her real sister?'
She took off her shoes, pulled the covers over herself, and went to sleep.
She hadn't been asleep for long when the housemaid, Auntie, rushed in. "Miss, you need to come downstairs, quickly! The madam sent me to get you. Something's happened."
Nora Ainsworth sat up. "What happened?"
The housemaid hesitated. "You'll see when you go downstairs."
She threw on a coat and went downstairs.
It was now close to ten o'clock at night. The living room was filled with family members, but Sharon Ainsworth was a complete mess.
She was sitting on the floor, sobbing her heart out. Nora Ainsworth was dumbfounded. 'What's wrong with her?'
"Nora!" Mrs. Ainsworth said sharply. "Why would you do this to your sister?!"
She was baffled. "Mom, what did I do?"
Mrs. Ainsworth was trembling with anger. She slapped her across the face. "And you're still trying to deny it!"
Her ears were ringing. She snapped her head up and stared at Mrs. Ainsworth. "Mom, you can hit me after you make things clear. I don't even know why you're hitting me! What did I do wrong?"
"I'm asking you, why did you have to scheme against your sister?"
Nora Ainsworth looked at Sharon Ainsworth. "Scheme against her? I didn't."
Sharon Ainsworth slowly got to her feet. "Auntie, please don't blame Nora. She probably just did it on a whim. I don't blame her. We're sisters, after all."
Giving Nora Ainsworth no chance to interject, Mrs. Ainsworth said with heartfelt pity, "Sharon is still the sensible one. Sharon, dear, I'll have Auntie make you some chicken soup to calm your nerves. Don't be like Nora. She doesn't understand anything."
Sharon Ainsworth amiably stopped crying. "I won't, Auntie. Please don't worry."
Mrs. Ainsworth came forward. "Come, Auntie will go upstairs and talk with you."
They left Nora Ainsworth completely alone in the living room. Mr. Ainsworth let out a mournful sigh and also went upstairs.
Nicholas Ainsworth crossed his arms, squinting at his stepsister. "Not very old, but you've already got plenty of tricks up your sleeve."
Nora Ainsworth, who had been inexplicably wronged, was already in a foul mood. His words made her feel like her head was about to explode. "How could my tricks possibly compare to yours, Big Brother? Your tricks are enough to make any woman never want to leave."
Nicholas Ainsworth's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?!"
Nora Ainsworth turned and strode out the door, ignoring him.
Her heart felt heavy and suffocated, so she left the Ainsworth house.
She wasn't trying to run away; she just wanted to go out and sort through her emotions.
She sat on a large rock by the river. The howling sea wind tangled her hair, and the sound of the crashing waves was like a furious roar.
She stood up and screamed, "Why are you doing this to me?! Why are you falsely accusing me like this!!!"