Israel didn''t buy it. "You''ve known Leonard for so many years. How long has Joshua been in the picture? Besides, Joshua is Leonard''s mortal enemy. Why would he let someone with such obvious ulterior motives create a rift between you two?"


    "But besides Joshua, I can''t think of any other reason," Aurora said, a rare note of fatigue in her voice. "I shouldn''t have gotten so close to Joshua in the first ce." At this point, Aurora had to admit that she couldn''t control a man like Joshua.


    "Did Leonard make some other strange demand?" Israel asked.


    Aurora rubbed her weary forehead. "He wants to make up for all his past birthdays. That''s fine, but he wants me to get him a gift for every single year, from his birth until now. Twenty-nine gifts. It''ll take forever just to choose them all..."


    Israel''s eyes widened. "Did losing his hand really mess with his mind? Why would he make such a bizarre request?"


    It wasn''t as if Leonard was intentionally making things difficult for Aurora; the request wasn''t a monumental task. But he certainly wasn''t the same man who used to handle everything so meticulously that they never had to worry. Now, if you didn''t bring something up, he ignored it. And when you did, he countered with a list of iprehensible demands.


    Though Israel was confused, he was anxious to deal with Violet. "It''s just a few gifts," he said to Aurora. "I''ll help you brainstorm. I''m not doing anything else anyway, so just leave it to me."


    Not wanting to alienate Leonardpletely, Aurora said, "Israel, Leonard really likes the artist Summer''s work. See if you can find any of their paintings on the market."


    "No matter how good Summer''s art is, can it be more meaningful than a painting from you?" Israel countered. "Aurora, squeeze in some time over the next few days and paint a portrait of Leonard. When he receives a piece you made especially for him, he might be so moved that he''ll forget all his grievances."


    Aurora paused. It wasn''t a bad idea. "Alright, I''ll do as you say."


    The day of Leonard''s makeup birthday celebration arrived quickly. Although it was a bted event with only three attendees, the venue was decorated with a warm and inviting atmosphere. This time, Aurora had handled the arrangements without Leonard having to ask. She couldn''t very well expect him to do it, and besides was a simple matter. it delegating the work to her


    assistants. Any problem money could solve wasn''t a problem.


    Simone arrived two hours early. Seeing the ce already decorated, she was surprised. "Aurora, you did all this?" The party was at Leonard''s new home across from The Williams Group building, which Simone was visiting for the first time.


    Aurora smiled. "You always nned Leonard''s birthday celebrations before,


    Simone. This time, I wanted to do something for him too."


    Simone offered a faint smile. "Well, that''s very thoughtful of you."


    They used to have endless things to talk about, but now an awkward silence was beginning to settle between them. Simone looked away, surveying the new apartment Her gazended on a framed painting on the wall, a vibrant floral scene signed with the name "Summer."


    She walked over to it. "This looks so familiar," she murmured. "I feel like I''ve seen it somewhere before."


    Wanting to mend her rtionship with Simone, Aurora joined her. "You think so too?


    I had the same feeling when I first saw it."


    As they studied the painting, a deep male voice spoke from behind them. "What looks familiar?"