On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 93

Karen, who had watched Jessica grow up, had long since grown tired of Catherine’s antics. She wound up and slapped Catherine hard across the face, again and again.

Soon, Catherine’s lip was split and bleeding, her face swelling up like a ripe fruit. But her eyes remained fixed on Susan, defiant. "I know you're doing this for Jessica. If it makes you feel better, then I'll take the beating. But my feelings for Lance will not change."

She was provoking her.

Susan felt her chest tighten with rage. "Hit her harder."

"Stop!"

Lance burst into the room. "Grandma, what are you doing?"

At the sound of his voice, Catherine's body went limp and she collapsed.

Lance rushed forward and caught her, scooping her into his arms. His eyes, dark and furious, locked onto his grandmother. "Grandma!"

"If you walk out that door today," Susan warned, her voice trembling, "don't you ever come back."

Lance ignored her, carrying Catherine out of the room without a second glance.

Susan was so distraught she nearly had a heart attack. Karen frantically searched for her emergency pills. Just then, Jessica came down from upstairs, the small bottle already in her hand.

She helped Susan take her medication and sat with her until her breathing steadied.

"I know this has been hard on you," Susan said, her voice thick with regret as she patted Jessica's hand.

"Grandma, I knew what you were planning today," Jessica said softly. "I almost stopped you, but then I thought… I wanted you to see for yourself how important Catherine is to Lance. I wanted you to understand why I have to divorce him."

Tears welled in Susan’s eyes as she looked at Jessica, who was as thin as paper. "I've failed your grandparents. And I've failed your mother."

"No," Jessica insisted, shaking her head. "You've been so good to me. The fact that you're still on my side… I'm so grateful. But Grandma, I'm so sorry. Lance and I can't go on."

Susan was stunned, then heartbroken. "I would miss her terribly, but if that's what you want, I will agree. The question is, will Lance? Amy is the most important person in the world to him right now."

"That's why I need your help," Jessica begged. "He'll listen to you. Please, can you try to convince him?"

Susan felt a crushing weight in her chest. "I'll try, dear. But I can't make any promises."

But for Jessica, that was more than enough.

…

Late that night, Lance stormed into Jessica’s room. "Jessica Brown, how could you be so vicious? What were you trying to prove? You knew Catherine wasn't well, yet you let Grandma treat her like that. Do you even have a conscience?"

Jessica didn't move. Her indifference only fueled his rage.

"Get up and go apologize to her," he demanded.