"I just arrived," Simone said. "I heard my brother was injured, so I came to see him." She looked at Aurora, a subtle curve to her lips. "It''s been a while, Aurora."


    Aurora smiled warmly. "Simone, what have you been up to? Why haven''t you been in touch?"


    After Simone''spromising photos had been leaked by Rachel Pearce, Aurora had tried to meet with her twice. When Simone declined both times, Aurora stopped asking. In the past, they had been inseparable, talking and texting constantly. Now, their chat history was months old.


    "My brother''s been in the hospital, so I''ve been busy taking care of him," Simone replied with a smile. "That''s why I haven''t had time to contact you. You''re not mad, are you?"


    "Of course not," Aurora said. "Leonard''s health is the most important thing."


    "And what about you, Aurora?" Simone continued. "I haven''t seen you around at alltely. What''s keeping you so busy?"


    "My father wants me to join The Williams Group ahead of schedule, so I''ve been swamped with work."


    "I see. Sounds like you''re busy," Simone said, ncing at Israel behind Aurora. "Well, I won''t keep you then."


    With that, Simone stepped into the hospital room. Aurora and Israel quickly departed.


    Seeing Leonard propped up against the pillows, Simone remarked, "So, brother, it seems you''re finally done ying the part of the devoted, uining suitor for Aurora. I never thought I''d see the day. So, your love-addled brain has finally decided to clear up."


    Her tone wasced with sarcasm. Ever since Leonard had chosen Aurora over her, Simone''s behavior had be erratic. Leonard knew she had been eavesdropping.<fn6160> Discover more novels at ?ovelFind</fn6160>


    "You know why Aurora brought Israel with her, don''t you?" Simone went on, not waiting for a reply. è "Because there are things she can''t say herself, so she needs someone, to say them for her That used to be my job when I was by her side, wasn''t it? Now that I''m gone, she had to find a new mouthpiece."


    In the past, Leonard would have warned Simone to stop speaking about Aurora that way. But today, he remained unusually silent.


    Simone didn''t seem to care. She took out the container of food she had brought. "Here, brother, eat something. I got this from your favorite restaurant."


    "Simone," Leonard said suddenly, "are you still in love with Joshua?"


    The mention of Joshua''s name was the only thing that could make her seem normal. Her guard went up. "What are you nning, brother?"


    "I destroyed Ste''s hand, and in return, Joshua destroyed mine. The score between us is settled. Now


    that Pawn Aurora is ready.


    to discard there''s no


    reason for me'' to keep fighting him for her sake. So, I won''t interfere in your affairs any longer. If you want to keep loving him, go ahead."


    Simone''s eyes lit up. "Do you really mean that?"


    "Simone, before Aurora came along, you were the most important person to me," Leonard said gravely. "I


    her clearly now. I won''t oppone


    Joshua for her anymore. As for my injury..." He looked down at his severed arm af flicker of darkn crossing his features. "Leta just call it the price I paid for my foolish devotion to her."