Aurora nodded as Grace spoke. “Alright, Mom. Tunderstand”
But Grace could tell she hadn’t really taken her words to heart.
She couldn’t help but add, “This was your <b>choice</b><b>, </b>Aurora. No one can walk it for you.
‘s the path you chose, then you have to stick with it. What truly matters is the two of you are doing well.”
Aurora lowered her gaze.
She understood exactly what her mother was getting at.
It was just like the past when she chose to be with Joseph.
“I get it, Mom. You should get some rest. I’m an adult now.”
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her mother, speaking clearly and steadily.
“Don’t worry. I can handle a lot more than you think.”
Grace felt a flicker offort in her heart. “That’s <b>good</b><b>. </b>Our little hora really <b>has </b>grown up.”
Aurora froze for a moment when she heard that.
It had been a long time since her mother had called her by her nickname, and she wasn’t quite used to it.
Grace noticed the way her daughter paused but didn’t linger.
She stood
d and offered a gentle, “Get some rest,” before heading out of the room.
She really did care–she always had.
<b>Aurora </b>watched her mother open the <b>door </b>and <b>saw </b>Tessa waiting just outside.
Her
reyes dimmed.
Of course. The moment their mother walked in, she’d gone straight to the point.
Tessa must’ve said something.
Aurora felt a wave of silent frustration. “Why go out of her way to stir up drama? Didn’t she have anything better to do?
Tessa stepped forward with a look of concern. “Mom, is Aurora alright? She looked a little off when she came in, <b>and </b>I couldn’t help worrying.”
Grace nced at her, sensing something in her tone, like she was trying to suggest Aurora might do something drastic.
No one had brought that up.
Why was Tessa pushing so <b>hard </b>in that direction?
A seed of doubt quietly <b>took </b><b>root </b>in Grace’s heart.
“She’s fine,” she replied calmly, “She’s resting now.”
You should get some rest too. Don’t overthink things,” Grace said before heading back to her room.
Tessa watched her mother’s <b>calm </b>expression, unable to tell what she was really thinking
She stood alone in the hallway for a moment, dazed, then finally turned and went back to her room, closing the door behind her.
The next morning.
Aurora was seated in the living room, having breakfast,
<b>Grace </b>and Tessa were also at the table.
No one brought up anything from the night before.
Tessa wasn’t stupid–Grace’s attitude had been clear.
She didn’t <b>want </b>that topic mentioned again, and Tessa wasn’t about to risk provoking her,
For once, breakfast felt genuinely peaceful for Aurora.
Just <b>as </b>she was getting ready to call a cab, Grace spoke up.
“Aurora, <b>wait </b>a moment. Come to the office with me.”
Aurora paused in surprise, then nodded. “Alright, Mom. Got it.”
Grace had always avoided ying favorites or using her status to pressure people at work.
She especially disliked unting their mother–daughter rtionship at thepany.
So, for her to bring it up so directly caught Aurora off guard
Meanwhile, hidden from their view, Tessa’s expression twisted with resentment.
and afraid. <b>Watching </b>the bond between them grow stronger only <b>made </b>her more anxious a
<b>She </b>already <b>had </b>no ce at thepany–if they truly reconciled, Aurora would never let her off easily.